Unmanned aerial systems designer and manufacturer Hush Aerospace announced Tuesday it is locating operations in Tupelo. The project represents a corporate investment of $13.975 million and will create 80 jobs.
Hush Aerospace will establish a state-of-the-art facility for the assembly, manufacturing, testing and evaluation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in Tupelo. The company’s move will enhance the domestic drone market by providing cutting-edge UAS/robotic platforms and components that meet the rigorous standards of NASA and the military. In turn, this will enhance national security by onshoring UAS design and production. In addition to government contract work, the company’s drones may be used in various commercial applications, including package delivery, agriculture, photography, cinematography, infrastructure inspections, mapping and surveying.
“Hush Aerospace to Lee County is another win for Mississippi,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “Our state is getting stronger every day and today’s announcement is an example of that. We’ve made historic investments in workforce development, and more and more companies are wanting to do business in Mississippi. I am proud to welcome Hush Aerospace as our newest corporate partner.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for the construction of the company’s 60,000-square-foot facility. MDA also is providing assistance through the MFLEX tax incentive plan. AccelerateMS is providing a Mississippi Works grant to support the critical training needs of Hush Aerospace and will support the company’s long-term workforce goals and objectives for this project. The project is also receiving support from Tupelo, Lee County, Tennessee Valley Authority and Appalachian Regional Commission.
“I am thrilled to see the exciting expansion of Hush Aerospace into Lee County,” said MDA Deputy Executive Director Laura Hipp. “Not only is the company contributing to the advancement of technology and opening doors for future government and commercial applications, it is shining the spotlight on Mississippi and showing other companies we are open for business.”
Hush Aerospace is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with an international office in the United Kingdom. Its expansion into Mississippi recognizes the significant growth of the global UAS market and the need to efficiently deliver UAS into the government and commercial space.
“Mississippi and Tupelo/Lee County not only provide Hush’s expansion with one of our nation’s premier manufacturing locations, but they offer a dedicated, skilled workforce and a public education, community college and research university platform that is second to none,” said Hush Aerospace CEO Zachary Johns. “On top of all of that, Mississippi and Lee County possess a culture which speaks to what Hush and its team members embrace as fellow Americans – freedom and patriotism.”
