Economic Development

The fund shall be used to provide grants to commercial service airports, as provided in this section, for one or more of the following air service development goals: (a) Adding air service to a new destination; (b) Adding frequencies to current services; (c) Lowering fares/introd…

Eligible projects for grants shall include marketing and advertising of new service and routes and additional frequencies and for other risk abatement plans. For the purposes of this program, marketing and advertising is defined as development, production and placement of adverti…

The amount of a grant shall be based on a formula of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per seat per day calculation, not to exceed an annual total of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per grant per airport. The calculation will be established using the air carrier's monthly activity…

Each grant shall require a forty percent (40%) match, which may be provided by private sources and/or public sources. Of the forty percent (40%) match prescribed under this subsection, only one-half (1/2) of the match may derive from in-kind sources. Cash matches can include disc…

Grants shall be disbursed by the Mississippi Development Authority within twelve (12) consecutive months as follows: (a) Thirty-five percent (35%) at the end of the first three (3) months of service; (b) Twenty-five percent (25%) at the end of the second three (3) months of servi…

Each grant shall be expended within twelve (12) consecutive months from the date the grant is awarded. An airport grant recipient shall only utilize grant funds in accordance with FAA regulation. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-19-1.8 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-471 (Rev. 2014). Adopted 11/1…

Grant funds may not be used to purchase airline passenger seats. Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-19-1.9 Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-471 (Rev. 2014). Adopted 11/11/2015

The Mississippi Advantage Jobs Incentive Program ("Advantage Jobs") provides for a cash rebate to qualified employers for a period of up to ten years. This program is designed to assist qualified companies that promise significant development of the economy of the State of Missis…

Advantage Jobs is administered by the Mississippi Development Authority ("MDA") and the Mississippi State Tax Commission ("Tax Commission") pursuant to Section 57-62-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. These guidelines may be amended by MDA at anytime. MDA, in its di…

To receive this incentive, interested companies must submit an application to the Mississippi Development Authority ("MDA"). Upon approval, an Advantage Jobs Incentive Certificate ("Certificate") will be issued that documents the terms of the rebate program. Once the approved com…

In order to receive benefits under the Advantage Jobs program, a company must be able to demonstrate that the creation of proposed jobs will provide a direct benefit to the State. To qualify, the company must meet the following requirements: A. Any business except retail and gami…

The average annual wage is the total employee earnings subject to Mississippi personal income taxes, including bonuses and overtime. All jobs at the approved facility must be included in the calculation of the company's average wage when determining whether the wages paid meet th…

The following industries do not qualify for the Advantage Jobs Incentive Program: A. Gaming: any gaming company that is regulated and/or subject to regulation by the State Gaming Commission cannot receive the Advantage Jobs Incentive. B. Retail: any business or industry that buys…

The amount of the Advantage Jobs rebate is tied directly to the net economic benefit received by the state. This net benefit is shown as a Mississippi percentage of payroll that, based on the number of jobs and average annual salary estimates provided by the company, is allowable…

After the company has remained in compliance for four consecutive quarters, rebate payments will begin. The amount of rebate paid is calculated by multiplying the amount placed in the fund by: A. 90% if the annual average wage is at least 175% of the county or state wage, whichev…

In connection with the acquisition of assets or facilities existing within the State at or prior to the acquisition date, no benefit under the Advantage Jobs Program will be available, except under the following circumstances: A. A formal decision to close the existing facility b…

All Advantage Jobs program documents may be obtained from MDA. To apply, three (3) copies of a completed Advantage Jobs Application ("Application") must be submitted to MDA. A shall conduct a cost benefit analysis as prescribed by the Act. MDA has the sole discretion to qualify a…

In the 2016 legislative session, the Mississippi State Legislature passed HB 1074 creating the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Fund" in order to support infrastructure and transportation needs in counties in which legal gaming is conducted or authorized. Specifically, th…

Failure to Comply with Grant Terms. Failure to comply with grant agreement terms may result in denial of a request for payment under the grant program and/or a request for repayment of grant funds. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.10 Adopted 11/23…

Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to increase air service capacity, frequency, and options for commercial air service passengers and have a long term impact on the local economy. Therefore, the Applicant must commit to making every effort to meet flight and/or…

Maintenance of New or Additional Service. In addition, the Applicant agrees to maintain the New Service and/or Additional Service throughout the term of the Grant Period at the levels agreed to under the terms of the agreement. If the Applicant discontinues the service or makes s…

Funds provided under the program may be subject to audit by the State Department of Audit, MDA, or other applicable state entity. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.13 Adopted 11/23/2016

These guidelines may be amended by MDA at any time, subject to the Administrative Procedures Act. MDA, in its discretion, may temporarily waive any requirement of the guidelines to the extent that the result of such waiver is to promote the public purpose of the Act and is not pr…

MDA may provide a Revenue Guaranty to the Applicant to ensure a Minimum Gross Operating Revenue, subject to the terms of this program as outlined herein and as may otherwise be stated in the grant agreement (hereinafter "Revenue Guaranty"). A Revenue Guaranty is a Category 1 gran…

MDA and the Applicant will negotiate a mutually agreed upon Minimum Gross Operating Revenue target based on documented and supported market projections. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.16 Adopted 11/23/2016

Revenue Guarantees supported through this program will be subject to a dollar cap negotiated within the grant agreement. MDA will consider the type of service, duration and frequency of service, Return on Investment, and other factors when determining the dollar cap. House Bill 1…

The Applicant must provide all documentation requested by MDA pertaining to the New Service and/or Additional Service. This information will include, but is not limited to: A. Name of the Part 121 Air Carrier B. Name and location of the commercial service airport C. Additional or…

MDA may take into account the Applicant's history of reliability in providing scheduled air service when evaluating the grant application. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.19 Adopted 11/23/2016

The Legislature directed MDA to allocate not less than $2,500,000 annually of funds deposited into the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Fund" for increasing air service in eligible counties. HB 1074 defines eligible air service expansion activities as: A. Revenue Guaranty…

The Applicant shall submit a quarterly report to MDA during the term of the grant agreement that will provide monthly information on the status of the Additional Service and/or New Service. This report will include the following: A. Projected v. Actual additional flights B. Proje…

Reports shall be submitted no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the quarter and in a manner prescribed by MDA. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.21 Adopted 11/23/2016

The Approved Carrier shall provide MDA with adequate documentation to quantify the Actual Revenue of the New Service and/or Additional Service covered by the agreement. MDA reserves the right to request additional documentation in order to confirm that information. MDA and the Ap…

An Approved Carrier may apply to MDA for a payment under the grant program at the end of each twelve (12) month period (not to exceed two requests in any twenty-four (24) month period), if the Approved Carrier did not achieve its Minimum Gross Operating Revenue during the previou…

An Approved Carrier shall request payment on the guaranty in a form required by MDA. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.24 Adopted 11/23/2016

MDA is only obligated to honor the guaranty on actual flights flown. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.25 Adopted 11/23/2016

State law permits MDA a maximum of forty-five (45) days to make a payment to the Applicant once all documentation and a proper Request for Payment has been received. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016; Miss. Code Ann. § 31-7-305(2)(Rev. 2010). Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.26 Ad…

The Applicant may seek from MDA a guaranty of the number of seats constituting the difference between the air service provider's required seat block commitment and what the Mississippi Entities can commit to purchase or guarantee (hereinafter "Seat Guaranty"). A Seat Guaranty is …

MDA's guaranty will be contingent upon the Applicant and at least one Mississippi entity entering into an agreement whereby the Mississippi entity has guaranteed a seat block. MDA's seat guaranty will be in addition to any block of seats guaranteed by Mississippi Entities in orde…

The Applicant must provide all documentation requested by MDA pertaining to the New Service and/or Additional Service. This information will include, but is not limited to: A. Name of the Part 121 Air Carrier B. Name and location of the commercial service airport C. Additional or…

The Mississippi Air Service Growth Program (MASGP), administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), is designed for making grants to Commercial Airlines to aid in increasing commercial air service at existing commercial service airports in counties in the state in wh…

MDA may take into account the Applicant's history of reliability in providing scheduled air service when evaluating the grant application. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.30 Adopted 11/23/2016

The Applicant shall submit a quarterly report to MDA during the term of the grant agreement that will provide monthly information on the status of the New Service and/or Additional Service. This report will include the following: A. Projected v. Actual additional flights B. Proje…

Reports shall be submitted no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the quarter and in a manner prescribed by MDA. House Bill 1074, Regular Session 2016 Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.32 Adopted 11/23/2016

The Applicant shall provide MDA with adequate documentation to quantify the passenger loads of the New Service and/or Additional Service covered by the agreement. MDA reserves the right to request additional documentation in order to confirm that information. MDA and the Applican…

An Approved Carrier may apply to MDA for a payment under the Seat Guaranty program at the end of each twelve (12) month period (not to exceed two requests in any twenty-four (24) month period), if the Approved Carrier did not fill the required number of seats negotiated in the gr…

An Approved Carrier shall request payment on the guaranty in a form required by MDA. House Bill 1074, Regular Session Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.35 Adopted 11/23/2016

MDA is only obligated to honor the guaranty on actual flights flown. House Bill 1074, Regular Session Notes 6 Miss. Code. R. 1-20.36 Adopted 11/23/2016