The Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership announced today that the the Mississippi River Inland Port Complex (MRIPC), the 1,238-acre site with direct access to the Mississippi River, currently under development, has received a Silver designation through the REDI Sites program, a first-of-its-kind national standard for evaluating site readiness for U.S. office and industrial projects. The program, administered by the nationally recognized Site Selectors Guild provides a rigorous, third party reviewed assessment to help communities position their properties for investment.
As part of the program, the Mississippi River Inland Port Complex (MRIPC) has received a Silver designation, recognizing its readiness for development and alignment with industry expectations.
Launched in 2024, REDI Sites was created to bring consistency, credibility, and visibility to site readiness, a process that has historically varied from state to state. Each site is evaluated across five core categories: ownership and entitlements, ease of development, utility access, environmental considerations, and logistics.
The REDI Sites Silver-Level certification is a testament to the region’s increasing economic development momentum. In March 2026, Site Selection Magazine ranked Vicksburg, Mississippi No. 1 in projects per capita among communities on the Mississippi River corridor. This recognition follows the announcement of $4.6B in capital investment, over 400 direct and indirect jobs, and over 4,000 construction jobs in 2025.
Mayor of Vicksburg Willis Thompson, celebrated the designation of the MRIPC as a silver REDI site. “This designation is a reflection of the progress accomplished through the partnerships our community sustains which continue to move Vicksburg forward. We are committed to creating the best competitive environment where industry can succeed, and this recognition from the Site Selectors Guild reinforces the true message that our community is prepared to compete at the highest level. We are excited about what this means for the future of the new port and of the City of Vicksburg.”
Kelle Barfield, president of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, added that the designation reflects on our area’s unique attributes. “Location on the river, access to reliable, affordable energy and transportation infrastructure, and geographic centrality are all important aspects of the competitiveness of our Mississippi River Inland Port Complex. But business and community leaders have to unite behind a vision and take concrete steps to turn economic goals into reality, which is exactly what the Site Selectors Guild recognizes is happening in our efforts here. Each small success we have methodically built becomes a foundation for the real prize of economic vitality for our community.”
Don Brown, Chairman of the Warren County Port Commission also shared his views on this important designation. “Our community has worked diligently and invested significant resources to enhance the quality of sites we bring to market. The validation from the Site Selectors Guild marks a new chapter in our competitiveness. We look forward to continuing the development of the new port for Vicksburg and Warren County and to the opportunities this momentum will create.”
The Mississippi River Inland Port Complex is a collaborative effort between the State of Mississippi, the City of Vicksburg, Warren County, the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership and Entergy Mississippi. The MRIPC is zoned for heavy industrial development, and the site boasts a robust array of utility capabilities. For more information about the Mississippi River Inland Port Complex, please visit mripc.vicksburgusa.com.
