International Paper to Invest $225M in 468,000-Sq-Ft Mississippi Packaging Plant
International Paper will build a 468,000-sq-ft, $225 million sustainable packaging plant on an 80-acre site in Brandon, Mississippi, replacing older infrastructure to strengthen cost position and service capabilities. Construction starts June 2026 with operations scheduled for Q4 2027, and Richland plant employees will shift to the new facility.
1. Project Overview
International Paper announced plans to construct a 468,000-square-foot sustainable packaging facility costing $225 million on an 80-acre site in Brandon, Mississippi, less than 10 miles from its existing Richland box plant.
2. Strategic Benefits
The new plant is designed to replace older infrastructure, bolster the company’s cost position, improve product quality and reliability, and enhance service capabilities across its Mid-South packaging network.
3. Timeline and Workforce Transition
Construction is slated to begin in June 2026, with operations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027; employees at the Richland facility will transition to the new site upon completion.
4. Regional Economic Context
This investment follows a $6 billion data center campus announced in August 2025 at the same business park and a planned $10 billion hyperscale data center in Meridian, reflecting growing industrial capital deployment in Rankin County.