Leaders from across Mississippi will gather in Biloxi on Tuesday, August 19, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center, a 100,000-square-foot facility that will serve as the headquarters for the Mississippi Cyber Initiative.
The event will bring together Governor Tate Reeves, Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum, Keesler Air Force Base leadership, Biloxi Mayor Andrew M. “FoFo” Gilich Jr., and other state and local officials. The ceremony and reception will be held at the Biloxi Visitors Center, followed by photo opportunities at the construction site adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base.
The new facility is designed to advance Mississippi’s role in cybersecurity and technology development. Managed by the MSU Research and Technology Corporation, the center will provide office space for MSU personnel and private industry partners, classroom space for Keesler’s training programs, and a dedicated event center. Officials say the project will enhance collaboration between education, government, military, and private industry, building on the growing momentum of the Mississippi Cyber Initiative.
Launched in 2021, the initiative was created after years of cooperation between MSU and Keesler Air Force Base to strengthen the Air Force’s cyber training mission. Since its inception, it has worked to position Mississippi as a national leader in cybersecurity by fostering partnerships across sectors, tackling critical cyber challenges, and promoting economic growth on the Gulf Coast.
Interviews, photo, and video opportunities will be available during the event. More background on the project can be found through Mississippi State University’s newsroom.