JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – On Monday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) signed Project Poppy, which is a $1.9 billion economic development project in Marshall County.

Last week, the Mississippi Legislature passed three bills for the project.

The project is a joint venture between Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions business unit of Cummins Inc., Daimler Trucks & Buses and PACCAR. They will locate advanced battery cell production operations in Marshall County.

Officials said the project will create 2,000 jobs with an average annual salary of approximately $66,000. Reeves said the project represents the largest payroll commitment of any major project in state history. This is also the second largest economic development project in Mississippi history.

“This investment is going to have a tremendous impact on our state. Nearly $2 billion will be invested into our communities. Two-thousand jobs that pay an average annual salary of $66,000 a year will be created for hardworking Mississippians. This investment will have a generational impact on the community in Marshall County and help strengthen our entire state,” the governor said on Monday.

Accelera, Daimler Truck and PACCAR each own 30% of, and jointly control, the joint venture. EVE Energy will serve as the technology partner in the joint venture with 10% ownership. The joint venture aims to accelerate and localize battery cell production and the battery supply chain in the U.S.

The company will manufacture battery cells for electric commercial vehicles and industrial applications, creating quality manufacturing jobs in the growing clean technology sector. 

The to-be-named joint venture’s 21-gigawatt facility will be located on a portion of the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park Megasite near Byhalia. 

Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority funds will be used to assist with infrastructure needs, site preparation and tax credits. 

Reeves said the groundbreaking for the project is expected to happening during Spring 2024.