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Harrison County development commission reports more than $1 billion in active projects, urges support for rail and industrial growth
Summary
Colin Carrano gave a midyear update listing more than $1 billion in active projects tied to the PCC area, cited estimated annual payroll and tax revenue, and described several large investments including Buc-ee's, NextEra and a Canadian magnesium project; the board approved related property sales and easements on the agenda.
Colin Carrano, representing the Harrison County Development Commission, told supervisors the county has more than $1 billion in active projects, highlighted job gains tied to PCC and related industrial growth, and asked for continued board support for infrastructure such as rail and interchange work.
Carrano said the development office is tracking “over a billion dollars worth of projects right now,” with what he described as about $2.8 million in estimated annual tax revenue tied to those projects and roughly $84 million in projected annual payroll. He told the board the mix of projects includes chemical, retail, metal manufacturing and maritime businesses and that many projects depend on infrastructure the county has helped provide.
Among specifics mentioned were Buc-ee’s (reported as more than $80 million in investment and opening events on June 9), NextEra Energy investments, a Canadian magnesium co‑location project under discussion with DOD components, and expansion by companies such as Seaman Composites. Carrano said some projects produced no direct revenue to the county because they were not sited on county‑owned land, but that the county’s work on interchange and rail access enabled the investments.
While Carrano presented the update, the board also considered several development commission resolutions on the agenda and approved them: an order approving the sale of approximately six acres of rural property (agenda item 57), approval of an assignment/assumption of a real estate purchase offer involving Metal Properties LLC (58), conveyance of a nonexclusive easement and related access agreement for Business Terminal LLC (approved as an easement access for a boat storage facility) and the sale of roughly a half acre to STS Properties LLC (60). Those items were moved, seconded and approved during the meeting.
Carrano said the county is pursuing rail improvements to accommodate a projected increase in rail traffic tied to PCC and other industrial activity and noted ongoing negotiations on incentive packages for some projects. He asked supervisors to remain engaged as the county pursues additional projects and federal advocacy for DOD‑linked manufacturing.
