Rocket Lab has confirmed plans to establish a major manufacturing and integration facility near Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, a move expected to bring approximately 400 direct jobs to the Gulf Coast by 2027. The announcement marks one of the largest single aerospace employment commitments in the region in over a decade.
Site Selection
After an 18-month site selection process that evaluated locations in Florida, Texas, and the Gulf Coast, Rocket Lab chose a 120-acre parcel in Hancock County, Mississippi, citing proximity to Stennis test infrastructure, access to the Port of Gulfport for hardware logistics, and the region's growing aerospace workforce pipeline.
Mississippi Governor's office confirmed the state provided a competitive incentive package including property tax abatements and workforce training credits through the Mississippi Development Authority.
Jobs and Timeline
The facility will focus on Neutron rocket component manufacturing and final integration. Rocket Lab expects to break ground in Q1 2027, with initial operations beginning in late 2027. The 400 direct jobs will span engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and operations roles.
The company is already partnering with local community colleges to develop a talent pipeline, with the first cohort of sponsored students expected to begin training in spring 2027.
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