Northeast at Corinth to House Northrop Grumman Aerospace Lab

CORINTH, Miss. -- (08/26/2025) — Today, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves joined Northrop Grumman officials and Northeast Mississippi Community College administrators and faculty in celebrating the official opening of the college's state-of-the-art Northrop Grumman Aerospace Lab on the Northeast at Corinth campus.

As part of Northrop Grumman's commitment to increasing access to the tech workforce and investing in local institutions, the Northrop Grumman Foundation recently awarded a grant to Northeast to support the expansion of the Booneville-based college's workforce training lab at its Corinth campus. This investment is a major step forward in the college's commitment to advancing technical education and creating opportunities for students in high-demand careers across the region.

"The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College is a win-win for our company and for the state," said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Aeronautics Systems, Northrop Grumman. "This cutting-edge facility will provide a highly-trained pipeline to the technical workforce that will help enhance prosperity in Mississippi."

For Northeast, it represents more than just a grant; it's a significant boost to college's mission to develop tomorrow's workforce.

"The realization of true workforce training efforts is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnerships," Northeast president Dr. Ricky G. Ford said.

"Today, as we witness the unveiling of this cutting-edge training facility, we celebrate the potential it holds for our students to receive hands-on experience and begin prosperous careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. I express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated faculty, staff, community partners, and, above all, to Northrop Grumman for their unwavering support and belief in our shared vision.

"Together, we are shaping futures and transforming lives in northeast Mississippi."

The upgraded training lab will enhance hands-on learning and enable Northeast to serve more students with cutting-edge equipment and career-ready programs that align with industry needs. From manufacturing to advanced technologies, this lab will be a launchpad for future professionals.

"Workforce training is more than a program. It's a promise to our students, our industries, and our communities," said Jason Mattox, vice president of career and technical education and workforce training. "We are thrilled about this partnership and grateful to Greg James for his relentless dedication in making this opportunity a reality. This has been a long time coming, and it's only the beginning."

Greg James, NEMCC's director of workforce training, has worked quietly behind the scenes for months, building relationships and advocating for the college's workforce programs. "When I got the email from Northrop Grumman, I knew all the hours and conversations had finally come full circle," James said. "This isn't just a check. It's a spark for transformation, especially in our rural communities."

As Northeast continues to lead in workforce innovation across Mississippi, this grant highlights the possibilities when community colleges and industry leaders collaborate.

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