The Story

Cold-Link Logistics currently has 5 locations across Florida, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Indiana. This $81.6M project, in non-metro, severely distressed Ellisville, Mississippi, will construct and equip a 198,000 square foot new facility that will be a Class A, Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certified, cold storage facility. It will have frozen, chilled, and dry foods with freeze blast capabilities with the potential to add additional phases in the future. Cold-Link Logistics is the first company to invest in the long vacant, Ellisville-owned I-59 South Site. This site has been a top priority for the Economic Development Authority of Jones County and has great potential to recruit more industry and job opportunities to Jones County. Cold-Link’s investment in the new facility and in road and utility improvements will be highly catalytic to attracting additional companies to Ellisville.

The Financing

• Total project cost: $81,600,000
• MuniStrategies Allocation: $10,000,000 federal and $4,200,000 million MS state ($28M from other CDEs)

The Impacts

• Economic – Located in a non-metro census tract that has a poverty rate of 20.4%, this project is a priority for local and state economic development entities as it has great potential to recruit more industry and job opportunities to Jones County, a USDA Persistent Poverty County. 100% of the jobs created will be accessible jobs.
• Jobs – The project will create 148 new permanent jobs along with 225 temporary construction jobs. The average new permanent jobs will pay approximately 206% of the local living wage, and the company offers an outstanding benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance (with 80% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums paid by the company), 401(k) with employer match, paid holiday, vacation and sick leave, and the option to enroll in life insurance and short/long term disability. Additionally, all positions will be available to candidates with a HS diploma equivalent or less.
• Community – The project has the support of local community stakeholders, including Jones County and the state of Mississippi. In 2016, Ellisville invested $10 million in the Site, and the Mississippi Development Authority Select Site Program granted $4 million for clearing and construction of a temporary road. In order to assist with public road infrastructure assistance, Mississippi Development Authority is also providing a CDBG Grant and a DIP Grant.
• Workforce Development – The Company will support initial and ongoing training in partnership with local and regional educational and social service institutions including Jones County Junior College.