Unmanned aerial systems designer and manufacturer Hush Aerospace has announced plans to move operations to a facility in Tupelo, with the relocation project expected to cost $13.975 million.
The Virginia-based company will establish a state-of-the-art facility for the assembly, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation of UAS in an effort to enhance the domestic drone market.
Hush Aerospace’s expansion into Mississippi recognizes the significant growth of the global UAS market and the need to efficiently deliver UAS into the government and commercial space.
“Hush Aerospace to Lee County is another win for Mississippi,” Governor Tate Reeves stated. “We’ve made historic investments in workforce development, and more and more companies are wanting to do business in Mississippi.”
In addition to government contract work, the company’s drones may be used in various commercial applications, including package delivery, agriculture, photography, cinematography, infrastructure inspections, mapping, and surveying.
“Mississippi and Tupelo/Lee County not only provide Hush’s expansion with one of our nation’s premier manufacturing locations, but they offer a dedicated, skilled workforce and a public education, community college, and research university platform that is second to none,” Hush Aerospace CEO Zachary Johns said. “On top of all of that, Mississippi and Lee County possess a culture which speaks to what Hush and its team members embrace as fellow Americans – freedom and patriotism.”
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is providing assistance for the construction of the company’s 60,000-square-foot facility through the MFLEX tax incentive plan.
AccelerateMS is planning to award a Mississippi Works grant to support the critical training needs of Hush Aerospace and will support the company’s long-term workforce goals and objectives for this project.
The project — which will create 80 jobs in the area — is also receiving support from Tupelo, Lee County, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Appalachian Regional Commission.
