To assist in efforts to battle the COVID-19 global pandemic, Gigantic Bag Co., a manufacturer of plastic goods that support health, food, and infrastructure services, will expand with the leasing an existing building east of McComb, Mississippi.

Founded in 2015, Gigantic Bag is a company headquartered in Summit, Mississippi, that specializes in manufacturing “Plastics with Purpose,” utilizing quality polyethylene films and bags designed specifically for jobs that plastics do best, like biohazard cleanup, medical supply, and industrial liners. The company manufactures a large portfolio of custom-made products such as film, sheeting, tubing, shrink bundling, liners, and a wide variety of bag styles for use in packaging ice, furniture, medical supplies, and other industries.

The company has grown to 75 employees and continues to add staff. The additional facility will house manufacturing operations for polyethylene hospital gowns for the national healthcare industry. All products are made locally in Mississippi.

Since the pandemic began, Gigantic Bag has converted existing operations to manufacture additional products for healthcare, food service, and safety. Recognizing a need for additional manufacturing space, the company requested to lease the former Magnolia Electric Power headquarters building east of McComb.

This new expansion is expected to create 100 new jobs for the Pike County area. John Westbrook, who founded the company with wife Donna, said he is appreciative of the support he has received in making this vision a reality. “Gigantic Bag would like to thank Pike County Economic Development District, the Pike County Board of Supervisors, Magnolia Electric, and all others who supported and assisted us in making this expansion possible,” he said.

Jill Busby, CEcD, executive director of the Pike County Economic Development District, commends Gigantic Bag on the expansion. “We have always been proud to assist with Gigantic Bag’s growth, but this expansion means even more to our community,” said Busby. “Pike County residents should be proud of the work Gigantic Bag is doing to keep healthcare professionals safe across our state and nation.”

Darrell Smith, Magnolia Electric general manager, is proud of the role the electric cooperative played in the expansion. “We were able to recognize a business, community, and national need, and fill that need with available real estate,” said Smith. “The mission of Magnolia Electric is to make lives better for our members. This expansion not only creates jobs in our territory but also provides a secure source for a critical product that is made in the U.S.A.”