Defense technology company Northrop Grumman is expanding its footprint in the Magnolia State by opening an aerospace lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Corinth campus.
Officials from Northrop Grumman joined Gov. Tate Reeves and NEMCC leaders to cut the ribbon on the site where the facility will be located on Tuesday. The lab, partially funded by a Northrop Grumman Foundation grant, will become a hub for advanced manufacturing training, equipping students with the in-demand skills needed for the state’s growing aerospace and defense industry.
“This is another fantastic investment in Mississippians and the future of our workforce. This state-of-the-art facility will be another great asset in preparing our residents for the high-paying, high-tech jobs of the next 50 years,” Reeves said. “It will serve as a launchpad for the careers of the future, and I’m excited to witness the dividends it will pay. Thank you to Northrop Grumman for investing in Mississippi and her people. It’s another great day for Northeast Mississippi Community College and our state.”
Expected to open in early 2026, the facility will provide hands-on training in composite material fabrication, repair and inspection, and simulate real-world environments that students may encounter in the workforce. The lab will fall in line with NEMCC’s initiative to train the state’s future workforce by expanding career opportunity offerings.
“The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College is a win-win for our company and for the state,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of aeronautics systems at Northrop Grumman. “This cutting-edge facility will provide a highly trained pipeline to the technical workforce that will help enhance prosperity in Mississippi.”
Northrop Grumman boasts over 800 employees and more than 730,000 square feet of manufacturing space across four sites, along with nearly 100 suppliers in Mississippi.
