Special to The Mississippi Monitor
Infrastructure technology company Azuria Water Solutions has officially broken ground on a new 72,000-square-foot Fusible PVC Pipe manufacturing facility in Batesville, marking an $80 million investment that is expected to create 50 new jobs in Panola County.
The new plant will be operated by Underground Solutions, an Azuria portfolio company specializing in infrastructure technology for water, sewer and conduit systems. The company’s products are used to transport water, wastewater and other liquids, as well as conduit for electrical and communication cables.
The new facility will be located adjacent to Azuria’s existing manufacturing operation in Batesville, which has been operated since 1988 by Insituform Technologies, one of the company’s flagship businesses.
According to company officials, Fusible PVC Pipe is produced by blending PVC resin with proprietary additives before the material is pushed through specialized dies to form pipe products. The pipes are then cooled, cut, bundled and prepared for shipment to municipal and industrial customers.
Mississippi leaders praised the investment as another major economic development win for the state and the Batesville area.
Governor Tate Reeves said the project will strengthen both the local economy and critical infrastructure systems.
“I’m proud to welcome Underground Solutions to Batesville as the company invests in Panola County, creates good-paying jobs and helps strengthen the critical infrastructure communities rely on every day,” Reeves said. “By improving water and utility systems from the ground up, this investment will deliver long-term benefits for Mississippi families while adding even more momentum to our state’s economic success.”
Azuria President and CEO Rob Tullman said the company’s long-standing relationship with Batesville made the expansion a natural fit.
“Azuria and Insituform have been a part of the Batesville community for nearly 40 years, and this new facility is a testament to our ongoing confidence in the state of Mississippi,” Tullman said. “We are excited to expand our footprint in the region and welcome new Underground Solutions team members to the family.”
State workforce development officials also emphasized the project’s long-term career opportunities.
AccelerateMS Executive Director Courtney Taylor said the investment represents more than economic growth.
“The significance of Underground Solutions’ investment in Batesville goes beyond job creation; it’s about expanding access to careers that require precision, technical skill and long-term growth potential,” Taylor said. “AccelerateMS is committed to working alongside partners to ensure the people of this region are prepared to succeed in these roles, strengthening both the local workforce and the industries that depend on it.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is supporting the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program, while also assisting with infrastructure improvements. Additional support is being provided by the city of Batesville, Panola County, AccelerateMS and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Underground Solutions expects to begin operations at the Batesville facility in early 2027 and plans to start hiring for the new positions in late 2026.