# Industrial Timber Expands Operations in Mississippi

Industrial Timber is investing $2.6 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Ripley, Mississippi, supported by the Mississippi Development Authority's MFLEX program and Tippah County. This expansion includes rehabilitating existing facilities, constructing a new 36,000-square-foot building, and installing new machinery to enhance domestic furniture manufacturing capabilities. The project is expected to create 11 new jobs, reinforcing Mississippi's manufacturing sector and supporting local economic growth.

- **Why this matters:** This investment highlights state and local government collaboration to attract and retain manufacturing businesses through targeted incentives and infrastructure support.
- Procurement professionals should note the role of the MFLEX program in facilitating capital investments and job creation in manufacturing.
- Contractors and suppliers in construction, machinery, and manufacturing services may find new opportunities linked to this expansion.
- The project underscores the importance of workforce development and regional economic partnerships in sustaining manufacturing growth in Mississippi.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
- Tippah County Development Foundation
- Tippah County

### Vendors
- Industrial Timber (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> For more than 25 years, North Mississippi has been an integral part of Industrial Timber’s story, and we’re proud to continue investing in the people and communities that have helped shape our company. As we looked at this next chapter of growth, we saw a meaningful opportunity to reinvest in Ripley – building on the workforce, relationships and manufacturing heritage already here while adding new capabilities and creating additional jobs. This expansion will also strengthen our ability to help bring more furniture production back to the United States and support the growing domestic manufacturing needs of major furniture brands. We’re excited about what this investment means for our employees, the Ripley community and the future of manufacturing in Mississippi.
> — Kevin Wiley, President & CEO, Industrial Timber

> Furniture manufacturing has helped shape North Mississippi’s economy for generations, with companies like Industrial Timber continuing to create jobs for hardworking Mississippians. With three locations in our state, the company’s latest investment speaks to the momentum of our manufacturing sector and the workforce that powers it. Reinvestment projects like this create new opportunities for workers and help keep Mississippi’s economy growing.
> — Tate Reeves, Governor

### Sources
- [Industrial Timber expanding operations in Tippah County | Mississippi Development Authority](https://mississippi.org/news/industrial-timber-expanding-operations-in-tippah-county/) - Mississippi