Dave Herring, president of Unified Brands, said Friday’s announcement that his company would expand into Vicksburg was the end of a long, three-year journey.

“Your showing today really confirms we made the right decision,” he said.

Herring called Vicksburg “next to perfect,” and said his company would move quickly to create a new center of excellence here.

The journey has been a long one, too, for many in Vicksburg and Warren County.

Mark Buys, president of BancorpSouth’s Vicksburg division and a long-time leader in the Vicksburg business community, welcomed Unified Brands.

“It’s outstanding,” Buys said. “It’s dynamic. To have a company of that caliber and that magnitude choose to locate in Vicksburg and Warren County is great testimony to the success we have experienced because of the economic development model we have in place. We have the right leadership, the right volunteers and the right support.”

And more is one the way, Buys said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Chad Shealy, superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District, said Unified Brands’ decision to locate its new facility in Vicksburg would provide great opportunities for Vicksburg students.

From VWSD’s construction, mechatronics and engineering curriculum to robotics, Shealy said the school district would offer “multiple solutions” for Unified Brands’ workforce needs.

Dr. Jeffery Holland, chairman of the Vicksburg Warren County Economic Development Foundation, said Unified Brands and its people would impact our community in many ways.

“They will impact schools. They will make purchases in our businesses. They will open businesses. They will impact our churches and social gatherings. The difference they make will be felt for decades to come,” he said.