CHOCTAW – The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has officially begun construction on a new Workforce Training Center, a major investment aimed at expanding vocational, technical, and professional training opportunities for Tribal members and the surrounding workforce. The more than 37,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in December 2026.
The project is funded through a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and is designed to serve as a central hub for workforce development across multiple industries. Plans for the center include dedicated spaces for classrooms, computer labs, flexible training labs, offices, an exhibit hall, a small business incubator, and a maker space.
Tribal leaders say the facility plays a critical role in preparing community members for an increasingly competitive labor market.
"Workforce development is a primary focus for our Tribe," said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. "We have undertaken many projects to help our community members prepare to face a challenging and ever-evolving job market. This Workforce Training Center is a key component of our strategy to increase the skills of our Tribal community, whether choosing a career on or outside of our Tribal lands."
In addition to supporting job readiness, the center will expand access to specialized certifications and professional training programs aligned with regional employment needs.
"We have a long-term plan to achieve our goals in the workforce development arena," said Economic Development Director John Hendrix. "This facility will greatly enhance our efforts to provide instruction in a variety of areas, specifically vocational HVAC and Electrical certifications, computer digital skills, healthcare, and management training.”
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Mississippi and represents more than 11,000 members. Tribal lands span over 35,000 acres across 10 counties, and the Tribe provides permanent, full-time employment for more than 5,000 Tribal members and non-Indian employees, making it one of the state’s largest economic contributors.
Tribal officials say the Workforce Training Center will further strengthen that impact by creating new pathways for education, entrepreneurship, and long-term career growth. Additional information about the Tribe’s economic development initiatives is available at www.mschoctawbusiness.com.
Originally reported by Staff Reports, The Neshoba Democrat in The Neshoba Democrat.
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