Mississippi Mirrors National Trends in Job Losses

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The boom in manufacturing jobs that President Donald Trump forecast last April has yet to materialize, with manufacturers shedding workers in each of the eight months after the unveiling of 'Liberation Day' tariffs. This trend is reflected in Mississippi, where manufacturing jobs have declined for three consecutive years, even as the state touts its economic development efforts and record-high total nonfarm employment.

Why it matters

The decline in manufacturing jobs in Mississippi mirrors a broader national trend, as major companies across the U.S. announce significant layoffs. This highlights the challenges facing the state's economy and the need to diversify beyond traditional manufacturing to emerging sectors like data centers.

The details

In April 2025, Mississippi had 140,100 manufacturing jobs, which fell to an average of 140,900 for all of 2025, a third consecutive year of decline from 147,400 in 2022. Over the same period, manufacturing jobs fell from 12.6% of total nonfarm jobs to 11.7%. This downward trend is likely to continue as the state focuses more on data centers, which are classified as telecommunications jobs. While data center jobs are expected to surge in the coming years, the state has also seen layoffs at 16 companies affecting 1,731 workers in 2025.

• In April 2025, Mississippi had 140,100 manufacturing jobs.
• By October 2025, the number had fallen to 12,702,000 (seasonally adjusted).
• In December 2025, the number had dropped to 12,692,000 (preliminary).
• From 2022 through 2025, manufacturing jobs in Mississippi fell from 12.6% of total nonfarm jobs to 11.7%.
• For all of 2025, 16 Mississippi companies issued WARN layoff notices to 1,731 workers.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.