Representatives from Mississippi State University, Jackson County Economic Development Authority, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Mississippi Senators and Representatives, and Jackson County Port Authority were on hand Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Northern Gulf Aquatic Food Research Center.
Photo by Dominique Belcher
The Mississippi State University has begun construction on the US state's first facility dedicated to aquatic food safety, quality assessment, processing, and product development.
The groundbreaking of the 'Northern Gulf Aquatic Food Research Center' was marked by a ceremony hosted by the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF), which has collaborated on this project for five years.
The investment allocated by the federal RESTORE Act fund amounts to $3 million and $865,000 from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). Additionally, the state itself has allocated $4 million.
Primarily, this center will benefit the state's catfish producers, who manage 29,900 acres of freshwater ponds, with a total production value of $214 million in 2024, according to data provided by the University.
The first phase of the new center will offer a biosafety laboratory for testing pathogens and toxins, as well as an analytical chemistry laboratory for measuring chemical residues in water and seafood products.
This will enable research into new processing methods that will extend product shelf life, reduce waste, and promote the use of locally sourced aquatic products. Additionally, new value-added food products will be developed.
"A major limiting factor for aquatic foods safety testing here in Mississippi is that no such facility is available, so our local processors have to send samples as far away as Galveston, Texas," alerted James Henderson, professor and head of MSU's Coastal Research and Extension Center.
Moreover, Mary Martha Henson, JCEDF Deputy Director noted: "Working with a flagship university like Mississippi State will give Jackson County continued opportunities to diversify our economy and bring in high-skilled, high-paying jobs to support an industry that is an economic driver and an integral part of the Gulf Coast's fabric."
Finally, phases two and three plan to build a processing plant for aquatic food research and development, as well as a business incubator space. MSU is currently seeking funds for this purpose.
