Mississippi Silicon creating 200 jobs in Tishomingo County

Jan 2, 2014 - Burnsville, MS

Contact: Tammy Craft, Public Relations

(601) 359-6556

tcraft@mississippi.org

Cell:  (601) 383-4806

Burnsville, Miss. (Dec. 31, 2013) – Gov. Phil Bryant and officials announced today that Mississippi Silicon will locate a new silicon metal production facility in Burnsville in Tishomingo County.  Mississippi Silicon is investing $200 million in the project, which will create 200 jobs.

The new Mississippi-based facility will produce silicon metal for a broad range of industries in the United States including the aluminum, automotive and chemical industries. Mississippi Silicon’s high-tech facility is expected to be one of the most efficient and cost competitive silicon metal production facilities in the world.

Mississippi Silicon is a strategic partnership between Rima Holdings USA, Inc., and domestic investor group Clean Tech I, LLC.

“I congratulate the team at Mississippi Silicon for becoming the state’s newest corporate partner and for choosing Tishomingo County,” said Gov. Phil Bryant.  “Mississippi is strongly positioned for growth in advanced manufacturing, and I am pleased to see another company placing its faith in our world-class workforce.  We look forward to working with Mississippi Silicon and wish the company many years of success.”

“Rima is proud to be joining forces with a high-profile group of investors, and we look forward to supporting our global network of silicon metal customers and especially our United States-based customers with this new facility,” said Rima Industrial CEO and President Ricardo Vicintin. “Rima considered many locations around the world for the new facility, and we greatly appreciate the support and enthusiasm shown by the citizens and government leaders in Mississippi.”

“The tremendous support at the local and state levels was a key factor in the decision to locate our operations in Tishomingo County,” said Mississippi Silicon Chairman of the Board John Correnti. “Mississippi Silicon looks forward to becoming an engine of economic growth in northeast Mississippi.”

In support of the project, the Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance through the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund for building construction and workforce training, as well as the state’s New Market Tax Credits. Tishomingo County and Tennessee Valley Authority provided assistance for the project, as well.

“This is an exciting way to enter into the New Year as Mississippi Silicon announces it is locating manufacturing operations in northeast Mississippi and creating these jobs,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “We appreciate our partners in Tishomingo County and at TVA who worked with us to make this project a reality, and we wish Mississippi Silicon many years of success in our state.”

Rima Holdings USA, Inc. is owned by the Vicintin family, who also owns Rima Industrial S/A in Brazil, which currently employs more than four thousand associates in diecasting, magnesium, silicon metal, and ferroalloys.

###

About Mississippi Development Authority

Mississippi Development Authority is the state of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA’s website at www.mississippi.org.