FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MEDIA ADVISORY

BRANDON, Miss. – The Mississippi National Guard is hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony for a new maintenance shop at the East Metro Center Industrial Park in Brandon, January 31, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Brandon Field Maintenance Shop (FMS #9), located off I-20, Exit 54 behind the General Motors Corporation building, 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.

The construction, comprised of two building areas, including a more than 37,000 sq. ft. vehicle maintenance shop with drive-through work bays, tool rooms, supply rooms and storage areas, is proposed to be completed by August 2024. An administration building with offices, a classroom, and community spaces will also be on-site alongside other support elements including wash bays, a controlled waste facility, and oil and fuel storage. FMS #9 will provide daily maintenance support services, ensuring equipment readiness for MSNG mobilization efforts, and natural disaster response and relief missions reaching far into the future.

The Mississippi National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve with honor and integrity in diverse missions throughout our state and nation. We are Always Ready, Always There.

MEDIA CREDENTIALING:

Media representatives are invited to attend and must coordinate attendance by submitting FULL NAME, AFFILIATE, EMAIL, and PHONE NUMBER to the Mississippi National Guard Director of Public Affairs, Lt. Col. Deidre D. Smith at 601-919-5668 and by email at ng.ms.msarng.list.public-affairs@army.mil. Confirmed media must arrive at the FMS #9 location on Metropolitan Lane no later than 9:30 a.m., January 31, 2023, to link up with media escort.

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