Officials from the city of Vicksburg and Warren County are progressing with plans for a new port complex, one that will be nearly 2,000 acres and make for one of the largest ports on the Mississippi River.
Following the purchase of the final land parcel needed for the project in December, lawmakers in the Mississippi Legislature allocated roughly $9 million in tax credits for those behind the development, design, and construction of the new Vicksburg-Warren County Port. The Legislature originally allocated funds in 2018 to help pay for the land acquisition with Mayor George Flaggs saying the port was a pipe dream without governmental funding.
“We just got about $9 million out of the state for a tax credit, and we’re about to look for mitigation money,” Flaggs said. “We’re on track. We’re doing real good, and I want to thank the governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislative group. We’re on our way.”
In addition to the Legislature’s continued support, the Mississippi Development Authority has pitched in $4.9 million while the city of Vicksburg and Warren County have each allocated $1 million. Flaggs added that while the monetary side is in good shape as of now, he and other local officials hope more money will come in to help extradite the project.
“We’re going to always need money,” he laughed. “I won’t say we don’t need more money. A politician never says that, but I can tell you that we’re getting closer to the finish line.”
Flaggs, who served in the Mississippi House of Representatives before running for mayor, said upon completion, the port will be about 1,900 acres south of Interstate 20 and between the Mississippi River and U.S. Highway 61 South. The Democrat turned Independent is already fielding offers for tenants.
“We’re looking for international freight. We’re looking for some big things to happen, and in fact, we have about three fish on the line now trying to get in and get on these 1,900 acres of land,” he said.
The Vicksburg-Warren County Port is expected to be fully operational by sometime in 2027. For context, the Port of St. Louis (6,000 acres) and the Port of Memphis (5,500 acres) are the largest ports on the Mississippi River in terms of land size.
