Mississippi has a robust manufacturing sector that includes world-class companies such as Airbus Helicopters, GE Aviation, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Nissan, Northrop Grumman, Toyota and Viking Range. It’s also home to a world-class organization at the University of Mississippi.
The Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME) develops interdisciplinary educational opportunities and prepares students for careers in the world of modern manufacturing. It was created almost a decade ago when Toyota Motor Corp. decided to build an $800 million assembly plant in Blue Springs, MS. The 2-million-square-foot facility produces the Toyota Corolla sedan.