International Paper held a groundbreaking in Brandon, Mississippi, for a new corrugated packaging plant in Rankin County that the company plans to build on an 80-acre site in the East Metro Center. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026 and operations are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2027, according to PRNewswire.
The greenfield facility will cover 468,000 square feet and will be located less than 10 miles from International Paper’s existing Richland box plant. Employees at the Richland facility are expected to transition to the new plant after the project is completed.
International Paper said the new site will strengthen manufacturing and service capability across the Mid-South region and is designed to improve reliability, product quality, and cost position. The plan includes automation and other manufacturing-safety and operational-efficiency features, and the company expects the facility to support growth in key market segments.
Local economic-development officials said the project is expected to secure 150 manufacturing jobs. Project leaders also said rail connectivity and transportation infrastructure will be part of the facility’s supply chain links, including access to the CPKC Railway network.
