PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Investments over the last five years have created nearly 4,000 new jobs worth about $231 million in yearly salaries, according to a study done for the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation. The results of the University of Southern Mississippi economic impact assessment were presented at the spring investor’s meeting and luncheon at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom in Pascagoula. Chad Miller, assistant professor and graduate coordinator at USM’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development, said the study assessed $2.8 billion in capital investment at Gulf LNG, the Port of Pascagoula, Ingalls Shipbuilding, BP, Zachry Construction, Northrop Grumman Aerospace, Chevron, Fairbanks Morse, VT Bollinger, Signal International, Sunplex and Signet. Researchers learned the industrial growth created 3,948 new jobs, 1,997 of which were direct jobs created by the companies. (Sources: Mississippi Press, Sun Herald, 05/30/13)