GREENVILLE, Miss. – February 9, 2026 – What started as an opportunity became a turning point for 11 local residents. With no guarantees beyond an interview, participants committed to hours of construction training. Many entered the program after years of working multiple jobs, hoping to find a career they could build with their hands and grow into long-term. Last week, they signed on with TIC – The Industrial Company, leaving with jobs in hand and momentum toward a more stable future.
The graduates completed a four-week program designed to support the ongoing construction of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station in Greenville. The power plant is currently being built by TIC, a subsidiary of Kiewit, under contract with Entergy Mississippi, and will supply energy to Amazon Web Services facilities across the state.
At its core, the program is about collaboration.
AccelerateMS partnered with South Delta Planning and Development District, Mississippi Delta Community College, the Washington County Economic Alliance, Greenville WIN Job Center, and industry leaders through the ReConnect program to create a direct pipeline from training to employment—preparing Delta residents for high-demand construction jobs tied to major regional investments.
“This program was designed to meet people where they are and connect them to real opportunities,” said Jacqueline Hughes, grant coordinator for the project at South Delta Planning and Development District. “Participants earned hands-on training, nationally recognized credentials, and a guaranteed interview with TIC. Most importantly, they gained access to careers that offer stability, growth, and a livable wage right here in the Delta.”
Participants completed NCCER Core training, learning construction safety, hand and power tools, construction math, and jobsite expectations. They were paid a stipend during training and received essential equipment—including toolboxes and gear—so they could report to work prepared without facing financial barriers before their first paycheck.
“We knew we were going to need a lot of skilled workers to build these power plants, and the best way to do that is to bring people in at the entry level and get them started the right way,” said Ron Duce, HR director for Kiewit and TIC. “Construction is a career where you can come in at any stage of life, learn lifelong skills with your hands and build a future. This program helps people do exactly that.”
Graduates were offered positions with TIC starting at $20 an hour, providing immediate access to careers with advancement opportunities, benefits and long-term stability.
For many participants, the impact reaches far beyond employment—and the stories behind the program reflect that.
“What makes this program so meaningful is the individual stories behind it,” said Mary Catherine Brooks with the Washington County Economic Alliance. “We heard directly from graduates who are changing the trajectory of their lives through this opportunity. This program doesn’t just fill jobs—it changes lives while strengthening the workforce needed to support major investments like the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station right here in the Mississippi Delta.”
Montrail Robinson was out of work for two months before hearing about the program through the local WIN Job Center. With years of experience in manufacturing, automotive machining and bricklaying, he saw the training as an opportunity to reset and build something more stable.
“It’s about constant work for me,” Robinson said. “I like to have a constant job.”
Several graduates said they entered the program knowing job offers were not guaranteed. Still, they committed fully to the training.
“This opportunity doesn’t come around often in the Delta,” said Keidrick Colbert. “We worked hard, and now we get the chance to take what we learned and put it to work.”
Phillystity Gray described the offer as “a big step in the door,” opening a pathway to career growth and the ability to invest back into the community.
“I joined this program because I want to prove that women can work in the field,” she said. “Now, I can get in there and work my way up the career ladder and then hopefully build up my community myself by doing other things.”
For AccelerateMS, the program reflects a broader strategy to build sustainable workforce solutions that connect people directly to jobs while supporting long-term economic growth across the state.
“Mississippi Reconnect is about creating pathways that lead directly to employment and better wages,” said Dr. Courtney Taylor, Executive Director with AccelerateMS. “When industry, education, and workforce partners come together, we can create opportunities that strengthen families, communities, and the future of our state.”
Interest in the pilot program exceeded expectations, with more than 200 applicants applying within days—underscoring the demand for training tied directly to employment opportunities in the Delta.
As construction on the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station continues over the next three years, partners plan to expand the program with additional cohorts—building a steady pipeline of skilled workers and opening doors for hundreds of Mississippians to earn livable wages and build lasting careers.
About AccelerateMS
AccelerateMS supports the people and businesses of Mississippi by creating and implementing workforce strategies that link individuals to transformative, high-paying careers. Through strong partnerships and effective grants management, the organization promotes sustained individual, community, and statewide economic growth.
