Supervisors give Huntington Ingalls 10-year tax break

PASCAGOULA — Jackson County supervisors have granted 10-year exemptions to Huntington Ingalls on a portion of its ad valorem taxes.

Yesterday, the board unanimously granted two separate exemptions on some newer equipment and property at the shipyard, but the shipyard would still have to pay about 18 mills of the county’s 51.3 mills tax rate. Supervisors say some tax funds must still be collected for school funds, roads and other expenses.

Supervisor John McKay tells The Sun Herald such tax exemptions are needed because if they are not granted, other locations with existing Huntington Ingalls operations might offer the company a better incentive to move those upgrades, which can also yield new jobs, to another area instead.