Area Development
RespirTek Consulting Laboratory, an environmental testing and research laboratory, will invest $1.5 million to relocate into new headquarters, with a research and testing campus, at Sunplex Light Industrial Park in Jackson County, Mississippi. The project is expected to create 25 jobs.

Construction of the new laboratory is slated to be complete in approximately six months.

“Our company is making significant investments in research technology which is creating a need for a new expanded headquarters”, said Jerry Hodges, RespirTek President and CEO. “With its advantageous location and amenities, Sunplex Light Industrial Park is the right choice for our expansion. We appreciate Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF) and its partner organizations, Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Jackson County Port Authority, for coming together to understand our needs and execute the necessary approvals.”

JCEDF worked with RespirTek to identify an ideal location within Sunplex Light Industrial Park. Cooperative Energy and Singing River Electric are assisting with the project through the Cooperative Competes grant program.

“This international research laboratory expansion demonstrates that Jackson County’s business community is growing and becoming more diverse, adding companies positioned to complement our well-established manufacturing assets,” said George Freeland, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director said. “This project is yet another example of multi-level partnerships that JCEDF adopted as its approach to economic development and that has proven to be successful over the years.”

RespirTek is an accredited environmental testing and research laboratory, providing services related to consumer product biodegradability certifications, wastewater treatment and toxicity assessments, and optimized bioremediation and natural attenuation strategies.

“RespirTek’s decision to choose Jackson County for its new headquarters and research facility is a testament to the effectiveness of our public-private economic development partnership,” said Randy Bosarge, District 5 Supervisor, who represents this area of Jackson County. “With this project announcement we continue to diversify our economy with high technology job creation and investment. The Sunplex Light Industrial Park was developed with the specific intention of recruiting high-growth, technology-oriented investment such as this.”