The Jackson County Board of Supervisors has approved the sale of land in Sunplex Light Industrial Park to RespirTek Consulting Laboratory for their new headquarters that will include a state-of-the-art research and testing facility.

RespirTek is an accredited environmental testing and research laboratory, providing services related to consumer product biodegradability certifications, wastewater treatment and toxicity assessments, and optimized bioremediation and natural attenuation strategies. Domestic and international companies desiring certification of their products as biodegradable rely on RespirTek’s expertise and many years of experience, partnering in research and development of product formulations, especially developing biodegradable plastics.

The company is investing $1.5 million dollars in this project and will create 25 new jobs.

“Our company is making significant investments in research technology which is creating a need for a new and expanded headquarters”, said Jerry Hodges, RespirTek President and CEO. “With its advantageous location and amenities, Sunplex Light Industrial Park is the right choice for our expansion. We appreciate the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF) and its partner organizations – Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Jackson County Port Authority – for coming together to understand our needs and execute the necessary approvals.”

JCEDF worked with RespirTek to identify an ideal location within Sunplex Light Industrial Park. Cooperative Energy and Singing River Electric are assisting with the project through the Cooperative Competes grant program.

“Sunplex Light Industrial Park has been an area of growth for our membership for over four decades”, says Singing River Electric General Manager Brian Hughey. “With the new RespirTek facility, we are ready to power yet another state-of-the-art company, and support the creation of career opportunities in Jackson County”.

“RespirTek’s decision to choose Jackson County for its new headquarters and research facility is a testament to the effectiveness of our public-private economic development partnership,” said  Randy Bosarge, District 5 Supervisor, who represents this area of Jackson County. “With this project announcement, we continue to diversify our economy with high technology job creation and investment. The Sunplex Light Industrial Park was developed with the specific intention of recruiting high-growth, technology-oriented investment such as this.”

“This international research laboratory expansion demonstrates that Jackson County’s business community is growing and becoming more diverse, adding companies positioned to complement our well-established manufacturing assets,” said George Freeland, JCEDF Executive Director, “This project is yet another example of multi-level partnerships that JCEDF adopted as its approach to economic development and that has proven to be successful over the years.”

The construction of the new laboratory is projected to be complete in approximately 6 months.