A new $30 million project has been announced to create jobs and construct affordable housing in Mississippi’s capital city.
The Jackson Yards, a 10-acre, development in the heart of downtown Jackson, was announced by A3 Consulting alongside the Hinds County Development Authority and other business leaders on Wednesday.
Anchoring The Jackson Yards will be the Metro Booming Training Academy — a next-generation trade school — new businesses, and affordable housing at 201 N. Green Ave.
Metro Booming Training Academy will feature ASE auto and diesel, construction, food and beverage training, and the only forklift operations certification in the city.
New retail additions from the project will include U-Do-It Auto Garage, an auto and diesel service facility, and work logistics. Phase two of the 350,000-square-foot development will begin an affordable housing project.
“As Jackson continues to evolve new business opportunities and reinvigorate the historic downtown area, we realized an increasing demand for a leading-edge trade school that will inspire the next generation workforce,” A3 Consulting founder Richard Bradley said.
“Metro Booming Training Academy was launched to meet that need, creating thousands of in-demand jobs across Jackson, the state, and nationwide. The Jackson Yards will fuel the engines of economic and workforce development and revitalization — a gateway to prosperity.”
The training academy is housed in a newly renovated, $500,000 warehouse with eight bays, training equipment, classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices.
More than 375 students will participate in the training academy’s first year, and the goal is to enroll more than 2,800 students in the next five years.
“We are fortunate and proud to have business leaders like Mr. Bradley in our community, who value public service and giving back to the community,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said. “The Jackson Yards development will strengthen the city of Jackson and beyond by providing essential and necessary workforce training that will assist with job growth and revitalization efforts.”
Metro Booming Training Academy is expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs by 2028.
