Golden Triangle Region
Mississippi is a pro-business state that offers a variety of incentives for wood processing facilities looking to invest in the state. The Golden Triangle is a region rich in business-friendly factors, including a steady workforce and reliable methods of transportation
The region is home to a plethora of community colleges and universities, some of which have programs directly relating to the timber industry. Mississippi State University has the College of Forest Resources, which encompasses a Forest Operation Office and a Sustainable Bioproducts Wood Science program. East Mississippi Community College offers technical programs in Forestry Management and Commercial Truck and Machinery Operation. These programs create a steady supply of knowledgeable and qualified workers in the timber industry in the area.
Workforce Summary
535
Active Job Seekers with Experience in the Timber Industry within 75 miles
$16.97
Average Earnings in Positions Related to Timber Industry within 75 Miles
23
Graduates in Forest, Wood Science, Wood Products Technology, Forest Sciences and Biology within 75 miles
Ports
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway provides lower cost transportation for raw materials, finished products, and bulk goods on the 234-mile long waterway. Designated a national marine highway, the Tenn-Tom Waterway connects to 4,500 miles of waterways in 23 states in middle America.
Lowndes County Port
- in Columbus, MS
- 25 miles east of Starkville
- accessible via US 82
- has barge-truck-rail transfer capabilities
- served by Kansas City Southern Railway
- warehouse and outdoor storage available
- fork lift trucks available
- conveyorized bed hoppers
- additional scales
Port of Gulfport
Deepwater port in Gulfport, Mississippi – about 5 hours from Starkville.
Port of Mobile
Deepwater port in Mobile, Alabama – about 3.5 hours from Starkville.
Website: https://www.alports.com/
Highways & Interstates
- runs north-south from Louisiana to Illinois
- 964 miles long
- 63 miles from Starkville
- accessible from US 82
- runs east-west from Texas to South Carolina
- intersects with 7 major north-south interstates
- 90 miles from Starkville
- accessible via US Hwy 45 or US Hwy 82
- MS 12
- MS 389
- US 82 – divided four lane
- US 45 (10 miles) – four-lane
- MS 25 – divided four-lane
Airports
George M. Bryan Field (STF)
Contact Information: 662-418-5900
- Located in Starkville, MS
- One runway – 5,550 x 150 ft.
- Asphalt and concrete surface
- General aviation, no commercial flights
- Publicly owned by City of Starkville
- 24-hour fueling
- A&P mechanic on staff
Golden Triangle Regional Airport
Contact Information: www.gtra.com, 662-327-4422
- 17 miles from Starkville, near Columbus, MS
- Accessed by Mississippi Hwy 82
- 3rd busiest airport in the state
- 8,000-foot asphalt runway
- Delta Airlines has daily flights to Memphis, TN and Atlanta, GA
- Full-range of business and general aviation services
- View airport fees and car rental information
- Daily air cargo service available
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport
Contact Information: http://iflyjackson.com/, 601-939-5631
- 124 miles southwest of Starkville, in Flowood, MS
- Accessed by Mississippi Hwy 25
- Daily non-stop service to 9 cities including Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, IL; Baltimore/Washington DV; and Atlanta, GA
- Commercial service provided by Southwest Airlines, American Eagle, US Airways, Continental Express, and Delta Air Lines
- 6 car rental companies
- An 8,500-foot runway for general aviation
Memphis International Airport
Contact Information: https://flymemphis.com/
- 165 miles northwest of Starkville in Memphis, TN
- Accessed by US 45 Alt and I-22
- Major carriers include AirTrain, American, and Delta Airlines
- Delta Airlines hub
- 15 regional/commuter carriers
- Daily non-stop flights to many U.S. cities and Amsterdam
Railroad Lines
Rail transportation is available through Lowndes and Clay counties
- Marshalling yard in West Point, 20 miles from Starkville
- Connects to BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific
- KCS rail map