Mississippi National Guard Hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at New Maintenance Shop in Brandon

By: LTC Deidre D. Smith, Director of Public Affairs

BRANDON, Miss. – The Mississippi National Guard hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, August 21, 2024, to unveil the new Field Maintenance Shop (FMS #9) in Brandon. Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, the adjutant general of Mississippi, was joined by Gov. Tate Reeves, Sen. Roger Wicker, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Rep. Michael Guest, and other state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of this facility.

“Whether it’s a natural disaster response, relief missions, helping to secure her border or our missions overseas, when our Mississippi soldiers are called into action, our Mississippi soldiers go to work,” said Reeves.

FMS #9 will support more than 1,100 pieces of military equipment from 34 units within the Mississippi National Guard, providing more than 35 full-time positions and meeting LEED Silver standards as an environmentally friendly green building, according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system.

“FMS #9 will be a tremendous asset and ensure that the brave men and women of the Mississippi National Guard have the tools they need to continue their extraordinary service to our state,” said Reeves.

The recently completed construction project cost an estimated $21 million and will present an approximate $2.2 million annual payroll. The new Field Maintenance Shop is comprised of two vehicle maintenance bays of more than 37,000 sq. ft. featuring drive-through work bays, tool rooms, supply rooms, administration areas, classrooms and storage.

“Readiness is at the forefront of the Mississippi National Guard. That readiness begins with ensuring our service members have the proper equipment in the best working condition possible. This state-of-the art facility is a perfect location to ensure our success through readiness is accomplished for future missions at home and abroad,” Maj. Gen. Bobby Ginn, the adjutant general of Mississippi.

FMS #9 will provide daily maintenance support services, ensuring equipment readiness for Mississippi National Guard mobilization efforts, natural disaster response and relief missions reaching far into the future.

PHOTO CUTLINE: 

The Mississippi National Guard hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, August 21, 2024, to unveil the new Field Maintenance Shop (FMS #9) in Brandon. Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn, the adjutant general of Mississippi, was joined by Gov. Tate Reeves, Sen. Roger Wicker, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Rep. Michael Guest, and other state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of this facility. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by William Valentine, MSNG Public Affairs)

(Pictured Left to Right: Tom Troxler, Rankin First; Kimberly Buford, JBHM Architecture; Brad Calhoun, Rankin County Supervisor; Congressman Michael Guest; Senator Roger Wicker; Governor Tate Reeves; Maj. Gen. Bobby Ginn, MSNG Adjutant General; Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith; Mayor Butch Lee, City of Brandon; Steve Gaines, Rankin County Supervisor; Sid Scarbrough, Rankin County Supervisor; Colin Maloney, Century Construction)