Connor Industries, a Canadian boat building company that manufactures welded aluminum fire, rescue, and police boats under the Stanley brand, announced today their plans to expand
production into the United States by building a new plant on 53 acres in north Coahoma County, Mississippi.
The plant will employ a minimum of 56 people, creating new jobs for the northwest Mississippi Delta region. Plant construction is expected to begin within the next several months.
While Connor Industries has purchased the land and will build the plant, Coahoma County plans to build a road from the plant over the levee to the river and a ramp from which Connor Industries will be able to launch their vessels.
The County has received four grants totaling approximately $4.7 million to fund the construction of the road as well as improvements to a nearby road adjacent to the plant property. Grants included approximately $2.2 million from the Delta Regional Authority, approximately $2.1 million from the Economic Development Administration of the US Commerce Department, and $400,000 from the State of Mississippi. Connor Industries’ financial contribution to the project will exceed $8 million.
“We are thrilled to create new economic opportunity for the citizens of Coahoma County and the entire northwest Delta region," said Bill Connor, Founder and CEO of Connor Industries. "We are grateful to all those in local, state, and the federal US government who have helped in the recruitment and funding of infrastructure necessary for Connor Industries to expand into Coahoma County, Mississippi. We are excited for the growth opportunities for our company represented by this expansion.”
Coahoma County Board of Supervisors President, Pat Davis said, “Our county is grateful that Bill Connor wishes to locate here. We pledge our support to help him become among the most successful businesses in our state. We are grateful for the state and federal support necessary to make this project possible. We look forward to the new jobs Connor Industries will create for our citizens and the significant benefits those jobs will have on our local economy.”
Connor Industries, under the trademark brand name Stanley https://stanleyboats.ca , specializes in welded aluminum commercial vessels, servicing federal, state, and local governments’ needs for superior marine response vessels.
Connor Industries was founded by Bill Connor over 35 years ago, with its headquarters located in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.
The event was held at The Pinnacle on the campus of Coahoama Community College and saw a number of local, regional, state and federal officials step to the podium and welcome Conner Industries to Clarksdale.
A more detailed story with photos will be published in the Thursday, May 23, Clarksdale Press Register.
