Workforce and Labor

Education and Training Resources

2 (two) 4-year universities
3 (three) 2-year community colleges within the 50-mile labor market area.

These schools have an enrollment of more than 30,000 students with many programs for workforce preparation.

Training Info

Multiple opportunities workforce support

Win Job Center

Columbia is home to a regional office of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security WIN Job Center which offers services for skills screening, e-verification and job placement services, as well as facilitating state job training credits and reimbursements.

Graduation rate

Columbia High School boasts a 94% graduation rate and was ranked as #13 among Mississippi’s High Schools by U. S. News and World Report.

Customized Workforce Training

Industry-specific training within one hour or on-site in cooperation with 3 community colleges and/or the Mississippi Polymer Institute.

Local Career and Technology Training

The Carl Loftin Career and Technology Center provides career and technology training for secondary school students as well as dual-credit courses in conjunction with local colleges and universities.

Pro-Business Info

Growth-Ready Essentials

Top 100 Mississippi Companies

Columbia boasts more Mississippi Top 100 companies per capita than any other city in South Mississippi. Five (5) of the Top 100 call Columbia home.

Growth is in our DNA

Of Columbia’s top 12 Industry Leaders, 8 are “Home-grown.” Four of the five Top 100 companies grew here.

Low-cost start up and operating

Marion County’s low cost of living helps companies keep their startup and operating expenses under control.

Proven Pro-Business Record

The “Columbia Plan” in the mid-1930s became a statewide and then a nationwide plan, creating the blueprint for Industrial Revenue Bonds.

Diverse Base

Marion County’s industrial base is diverse. Agriculture, aerospace, fabrication, construction, transportation, timber processing.