POPULATION: 2,910,540

LABOR FORCE: 1,347,700

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Agriculture, chemicals, food processing, forest products, furniture, lumber & wood, shipbuilding

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Automotive, aerospace, communications & information technology, distribution centers, healthcare, plastics & polymers

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 18.2%

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax:
3 percent on first $5,000; 4 percent on next $5,000; 5 percent for income over $10,000 (exemptions)

Corporate Franchise Tax: $2.50 for each $1,000 of capital invested in the state

General Retail Sales Tax: 7 percent

Property Tax: No state tax; local rates vary on real and tangible personal property with assessment ratio for most property at 15 percent of true value

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Gulf Opportunity Zone Act
Access Road Program
Airport Revitalization Program
Infrastructure Program
Port Revitalization Revolving Loan Program
Agribusiness Enterprise Loan
Business Investment Act Program
Emerging Crop Program
Energy Investment Program
Guaranty Loan Program
Minority Business Enterprise Loan
Minority Surety Bond Guaranty Program
Small Business Assistance Program
Small Enterprise Development Finance Program
Telecommunications Act
Major Economic Impact Authority Act
Rural Economic Development Act
Economic Development Highway Act
Mississippi Investments Act
Free Port Warehouse Law
Railroad Revitalization Act
Foreign-Trade Zones
International Trade Offices
Growth and Prosperity Program