Until I became Mayor, I never had any idea how much work goes into recruiting quality developments and how much time it takes to see these developments become real.  Jim Flanagan is the Director of the Desoto County Economic Development Council and does an incredible job of promoting our county and recruiting industrial developments.  He and I have almost cried together, at times, seeing some great ones pass us by and go elsewhere after tremendous efforts.  We don’t get them all, but we have landed a “big one” with Medline.

Medline Industries, Inc., a global healthcare company headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, employs 23,000-plus people manufacturing and distributing medical supplies in more than 90 countries.  They have purchased vacant property in Southaven between I-55 and Highway 51 just north of Star Landing Road where they plan to build a 1.4 million square-foot facility that will distribute their products throughout the Southeastern U.S.  This $46-million investment will bring 450 new quality jobs to Southaven.

Our City Board of Aldermen joined me in recognizing the significance of this development and offered the infrastructure improvements needed to meet the needs of Medline.  The State of Mississippi provided essential tax incentives and co-op funding required for the Pepperchase Road extension, along with Desoto County, to finalize the requirements of this outstanding operation.

Medline attributed their choice of Southaven to our key geographic location, quality local workforce, and high quality of life.  We’ve welcomed them to our city and are excited about the magnitude of benefits their operation will bring to our citizens and the healthcare in our region.  I appreciate the coordinated efforts of Governor Phil Bryant, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Desoto County Economic Development Council, and the Desoto County Board of Supervisors with our City to make this happen.

Medline projects this facility will be ready to start operations in early 2021.