Spectra Laboratories, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Medical Care North America, the nation’s leading provider of kidney care products and services, broke ground on a 200,000-square-foot laboratory in Southaven, Mississippi. The project is expected to create more than 300 jobs over the next three years.

Spectra Laboratories offers renal-specific laboratory services, using state-of-the-art equipment, automated specimen processing and reporting applications. At Spectra’s new build-to-suit facility, which will be located in the Stateline Business Park, employees will conduct comprehensive testing, analysis and reporting to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

“We are excited to make Southaven home for our newest state-of-the-art Spectra Laboratories facility,” said Rice Powell, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care North America. “Our patients depend on timely and accurate lab results to manage kidney failure with life-sustaining dialysis treatments. We feel that Mississippi understands our mission and will help us deliver the reliability and personal service required to ensure we are providing the best care for our patients.”

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for workforce training and site improvements as an incentive. MDA also is supporting the project through the Advantage Jobs and Healthcare Industry Zone Incentive programs.

In addition, the city of Southaven is providing assistance with a new traffic signal, and the city and DeSoto County are providing partial property tax exemptions to Spectra Laboratories.

“Spectra Laboratories’ new location has the advantage of North Mississippi’s robust transportation network, which gives the company efficient delivery of test results, enabling patients to receive the specific care they need in a timely manner,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “The leadership of the DeSoto County Economic Development Council, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, the city of Southaven and Entergy Corporation were all instrumental in bringing more than 300 new career opportunities to Mississippians in DeSoto County.”

“The state of Mississippi is proud to partner with Spectra Laboratories as the company brings significant new job opportunities to DeSoto County,” Governor Phil Bryant said. “The health care industry is a prominent economic driver in our state, and Spectra Laboratories and its employees will positively impact the North Mississippi region and further strengthen our foothold in this important sector for years to come.”