JACKSON, Miss. (June 20, 2022) – Neel-Schaffer, Inc., welcomed about 150 visitors during an Open House celebration on Thursday, June 16, to showcase the firm’s move to the Highland Bluff North building in northeast Jackson.
Ranked as the 197th best engineering design firm in the nation by Engineering News-Record, Neel-Schaffer was founded in Jackson in 1983 by Hibbett Neel and Gorman Schaffer and remains committed to serving the Jackson community.
Before a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to commemorate Neel-Schaffer’s move, Neel spoke to a crowd of city officials, clients, and employees.
“I would first like to thank all of the people from the City of Jackson and the Greater Jackson Chamber for being here today,” said Neel, who now serves as the firm’s Chairman of the Board after serving for 39 years as the President and CEO. “We are an employee-owned firm, with 38 offices in nine states, with nearly 500 employees, but we are based right here in Jackson.
“Next year will be our 40th anniversary. We’ve moved four times. … We spent two years making this move happen. This is a wonderful building and we are so excited about moving here to this location. We are a Jackson-based firm and our whole purpose is to give back to the community. We love being here and love this facility and are so glad we could move here.”
For the ribbon cutting, Neel-Schaffer employees were joined by City of Jackson officials, including Chief Administrative Officer Louis Wright, Chief Financial Officer Fidelis Malembeka, and Safiya Omari, Chief of Staff to Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. Also in attendance was Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Executive Director Jeff Rent and a host of GJCP Ambassadors.
After noting Neel-Schaffer’s “long-standing and good relationship” with the city, Wright presented Neel with a plaque “in recognition of your commitment to economic growth.”
Rent reminded those in attendance that Neel-Schaffer was the named “Business of the Year” in 2020 by the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. “We commend you for your commitment to our community and your staff and your growth,” said Rent. “You provide quality services and there’s a reason why you are the first engineering firm that always comes to mind. You are where I start and will continue to start.”
