Aerospace and Aviation

Why Choose the TAP Region?

Industry presence is strong. The TAP Alliance region is home to 6 companies related to the aerospace industry with several hundred companies located in nearby cities.

World-class research and development. Research and development facilities are within 150 miles, with the Redstone Arsenal, a major federal center in Huntsville, Alabama, and Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Lab in Starkville, Mississippi.

Highly-skilled workforce. Four major universities offering ABET-accredited engineering degree programs are within 150 miles of the TAP region and provide a well-trained, specialized workforce.

Low cost of business PLUS incentives. The state of Mississippi offers incentives specific to the aerospace industry and has a low cost of living and low cost of doing business.

Aerospace and Aviation Companies in TAP Region

View a map of aerospace industries in Mississippi (PDF)

There are over 300 companies within 200 miles that do work in space and defense, aviation and maintenance refurbishment and overhaul. These include

• Aerospace Products International – Memphis, TN
• American Eurocopter – Columbus, MS
• APSE – Huntsville, AL
• Aurora Flight Sciences – Columbus, MS
• Boeing – Huntsville, AL
• Dynetics – Hunstville, AL
• GE Aviation – Batesville, MS
• Hyperion Technology Group – Tupelo, MS
• Lockheed Martin – Huntsville, AL
• Lockheed Martin – Memphis, TN
• Miltec Research and Technology – Oxford, MS
• Northrop Grumman Corporation – Huntsville, AL
• Qwest Air Parts, Inc. – Memphis, TN
• Raytheon – Huntsville, AL
• Reliance Aerotech Services – Nashville, TN
• Stark Aerospace – Columbus, MS
• Teledyne- Brown Engineering – Huntsville, AL
• Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division – Nashville, TN
• United Launch Alliance (ULA) – Decatur, AL
• US Aerospace – Selmer, TN

View an interactive map of the state’s aerospace industry.

Research and Development in Aerospace

Raspet Flight Lab – Mississippi State University

Part of the Aerospace Engineering School at Mississippi State University, the Raspet Flight Research Lab is located at the George M. Bryan Municipal Field in Starkville, MS, 122 miles south of the TAP region.

Facilities include

• 86,000 square-feet of hanger space
• Office space
• Paint shop
• Composite storage and fabrication rooms
• Machine shop
• CNC machines
• Ovens
• Autoclaves
• Engine test room
• Electronics shop
• Structural test area

Business Incubation
The lab serves as an incubator facility for various aerospace industries in the state and offers work areas, technical training, and access to other MSU assets. Previous partnerships include

• Stark Aerospace
• Aurora Flight Sciences
• GE Aerospace
• American Eurocopter
• General Atomics
• Selex-Galileo

Research
The faculty and staff at the Raspet Flight Lab specialize in the design and testing of materials to support rapid prototyping for lighter weight aircraft. Specific capabilities include

• Flight test instrumentation and test assistance
• In-flight sensor evaluation
• UAV engine performance testing
• Hardware/software integration
• Composite fabrication

Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS)

Ongoing research at Mississippi State University, approximately 85 miles from the TAP region, focuses on the development of new technology for the processing of materials, production of new designs, and increasing fuel efficiency/reduction of pollution for the automotive industry. Working directly with government agencies and the automotive industry, CAVS produces information and solutions that advance technology.

There are several research teams at the CAVS facility. The Automotive Electronics research team seeks to achieve higher fuel efficiency and reduce pollution using advanced controls and renewable energy.

CAVS Extension

Located in Canton, approximately 190 miles from the TAP region, CAVS Extension:

• Facilitates the transfer of the technology developed from research at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems to Mississippi’s automotive industry
• Offers workshops and training in best practices (ex: six sigma, lean manufacturing, metrology, welding for engineers)
• Provides access to advanced engineering tools and concepts

CAVS Extension has participated in 36 projects statewide, including ones for Nissan, Flexible Flyer, Eaton, Taylor Machine, Northrop Grumman, Hewlett Industries, Pioneer, Viking Range, and more.

Redstone Arsenal

A major federal research, development, test, and engineering center, the Redstone Arsenal is 100 miles east of the TAP region.

Based at Redstone Arsenal are

• United State Army’s missile, missile defense and aviation programs
• Missile Defense Agency
• Defense Intelligence Agency
• NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
• NATO’s MEADS program

The facility also performs missile and helicopter research for the U.S. Army.

Mississippi Polymer Institute at University of Southern Mississippi

The Institute offers analysis and testing, innovation and commercialization, rapid prototyping, and workforce development to industry. Located in Hattiesburg, approximately 250 miles from the TAP Alliance region.

Specialized Workforce

ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering degree programs and master’s and PhD options in similar areas are available at nearby universities.

Workforce Training

Northeast Mississippi Community College

Division of Workforce Training and Economic Development
Offers customized job training to new and existing business and industry. Two training facilities are located within the TAP region, one in Corinth and the other in Booneville. Mobile training facilities may be available upon request for onsite training throughout the TAP region.

East Mississippi Community College

Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence
Offers technical training relevant to Mississippi industries. 112 miles from the TAP region.

Workforce Services
Offers customized training to industry and core courses to individuals. The Manufacturing Academy course provides training in the essential skills defined by manufacturers in the area. These include quality tools, measuring instruments, problem-solving, applied math, critical thinking and more. Additional classes offered include

• Welding
• Truck Driving
• Avionics and cabling
• Construction
• Composite
• Electrical
• HVAC
• Machining

See full list of classes

Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis

Workforce training through traditional and distance learning systems. 110 miles from the TAP region. Courses include

• Aircraft mechanics
• Avionics maintenance technology
• Drafting and CAD technology
• Machine tool technology

University of Mississippi

Center for Manufacturing Excellence
Provides manufacturing education through the mechanical engineering program, professional development courses, and is involved with industry-led research. 92 miles form the TAP region.

Tax Incentives for the Aerospace Industry

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Aerospace Businesses

Aerospace businesses that locate or expand in Mississippi, create at least 25 full-time jobs paying at least 110% of the state or county average annual salary and make an investment of at least $25 million in the state may receive a sales and use tax exemption and other tax incentives through the Mississippi Aerospace Initiative Incentives Program.

Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit

Existing manufacturers that have operated in Mississippi for two or more years may be eligible for investment tax credits that can be applied to the entity’s state income tax liability. To qualify, an existing manufacturer must invest $1,000,000 or more in buildings and/or equipment used in the manufacturing operation. The investment credit is calculated as 5% of the eligible investment for a project.

Mississippi Aerospace Initiative Incentives Program

Mississippi’s Aerospace Initiative Incentives program provides corporate tax incentives to companies that manufacture or assemble components for the aerospace industry or provide research, development or training services for the sector and are looking to locate or expand in the state.

Franchise Tax Exemption for Aerospace Businesses

Other Incentives

Mississippi offers a variety of tax incentives, grants and loans for business and industry. View a listing of more incentives by visiting the incentives page.