en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 28th, International Paper (IP) recently announced plans to build a 468,000-square-foot sustainable packaging facility in Brandon, Mississippi, USA. The project site is located approximately 10 miles from its existing Ridgeland Container Plant in Jackson and will be constructed on 80 acres of land, with a total investment estimated at $225 million.
Keith Townsend, Vice President and General Manager of IP's North American Packaging Solutions Eastern Group, stated, "This investment supports our strategy to optimize our box plant system and concentrate capital where it delivers the greatest returns. By modernizing our footprint in Mississippi, we are strengthening our service model and our ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions to our customers."
Construction of the new box plant is expected to begin in June of this year and is scheduled to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2027. International Paper stated that employees from the Ridgeland Box Plant will transition to the new Brandon site once it is completed.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said, "This is another major win for Mississippi. International Paper's $225 million investment in Rankin County is further proof that Mississippi's growth momentum is real and growing stronger every day. We are seeing capital investment at historic levels because companies know Mississippi is a state where businesses can succeed. This project will create new opportunities for Mississippians and continue our state's record-breaking economic development achievements."
International Paper noted that the new packaging plant aims to strengthen its cost position, improve reliability and product quality, and enhance service capabilities across the mid-South region. The company added that by replacing older infrastructure with modern, efficient facilities, this investment should reduce structural costs and support growth in key segments. The modern design and updated equipment will provide employees with the latest innovations in safety and efficiency.
Noel Daniels, Chairman of the Rankin First Economic Development Authority in Rankin County, said, "For years, Rankin First Economic Development Authority and our partners have strategically developed the East Metro Center to attract world-class companies. Seeing a global leader like International Paper choose this location validates that vision. This complex operation not only creates and retains jobs but also solidifies Rankin County's position as the premier hub for industrial innovation in Mississippi and the Southeast."
