The Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership announced today that the March 2026 issue of Site Selection magazine has ranked Vicksburg, Mississippi, No. 1 in projects per capita among communities along the entire U.S. Mississippi River corridor. The publication highlighted strong economic momentum along the Mississippi River corridor, with Vicksburg claiming the number one position.
The recognition comes as part of Site Selection’s annual national rankings, widely regarded as “the industry scoreboard” for corporate facility investment. The rankings are based on new and expanded private sector corporate facilities tracked by the proprietary Conway Projects Database. Vicksburg took the top spot among all communities along the Mississippi corridor after announcing over $4.6B capita investments, over 400 direct and indirect jobs, and over 4,000 construction jobs to be created in the region over the next four to five years. Across the full length of the Mississippi River, from Minnesota to Louisiana, Vicksburg led all communities in projects per capita over an 18-month period beginning in July 2024.
The ranking reflects the community’s continued success in attracting impactful private-sector investment, including manufacturing, logistics, research and development, and other corporate end-user facilities. Qualifying projects for the ranking must meet at least one of three criteria: a capital investment of at least $1 million, the creation of at least 20 new jobs, or at least 20,000 square feet of new facility space. The Mississippi River Corridor rankings appear alongside the magazine’s annual Governor’s Cup awards, which this year recognized Texas and North Dakota for leading the nation in total and per-capita corporate facility projects, respectively.
Site Selection, published by Conway Data, has presented its national rankings annually since 1988 and is read by more than 40,000 corporate executives and site selection professionals involved in major location decisions.
City of Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson, celebrated the ranking by stating, “This recognition affirms Vicksburg’s growing reputation as an extremely competitive destination for business investment and a strategic hub along the Mississippi River. We are proud of this achievement and grateful to our partners who work with us to make it possible. Vicksburg is open for business and we intend to remain the most business friendly community along the Mississippi River.”
Warren County Board of Supervisors President Kelle Barfield noted that economic growth is critical to a community’s future. “The sheer cost of sustaining county infrastructure while improving quality of life means that Warren County must compete for industrial investment with hundreds of counties in our region. Our prime location on the Mississippi River is just a starting point; what moves us across the finish line in announced jobs and additional tax revenues is the positive support of development by public officials, the business community, and leaders of our schools. When all our resources line up, Warren County is unbeatable for business growth.”
Austin Golding, President and CEO of Golding Barge Line and 2026 Chairman of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Foundation concluded, “We are excited to see Vicksburg’s collaborative and strategic efforts in economic development over the past several years reflected in the national economic development rankings. These results are a product of a deliberate, long term partnership between the public and private sectors in our community. As President & CEO of a family owned, marine transportation business operating here, I am proud to call Vicksburg home and encourage other industries to take a serious look at the opportunities emerging in our market. We are excited for Vicksburg’s economic future, and as we continue strengthening our port and industrial assets, I feel confident more success is on the horizon.”
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The Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership brings together the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, the Warren County Port Commission, and the Warren County Economic Development Foundation to lead Warren County’s and the City of Vicksburg’s Economic Development Efforts. Pablo Diaz is the President & CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership.
