MS Coast has 2 of the best midsize employers in US for 2026, Forbes says. Here’s where

A bank and a casino — both headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi — are among the best midsize employers in America for 2026, according to a recent Forbes ranking.

The list ranks companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees based on survey responses from more than 217,000 employees across U.S. companies to find the top 500, analysts said.

A total of three companies headquartered in the Magnolia State made the ranking. Here’s what they are and how they rank.

Hancock Whitney Bank

Rank: 261

Industry: Banking and Financial Services

Headquarters: Gulfport, MS

Year founded: 1899

Number of employees: 3,476

Forbes has also named Hancock Whitney Bank among the best banks in America for 2026, according to a ranking published in February.

Island View Casino

Rank: 439

Industry: Travel & Leisure

Headquarters: Gulfport, MS

Year founded: 2006

C Spire, a Mississippi telecommunications company headquartered in Ridgeland, also made the top 500 at #334, according to Forbes. It was founded in 1988, the ranking shows.

Top midsize employers in US?

These are the 10 best midsize employers in America, according to Forbes:

1. Toll Brothers

2. Patagonia

3. United Community

4. Medical Mutual of Ohio

5. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation

6. Businessolver

7. Openlane

8. Spotify Technology

9. Green Bay Packaging

10. New York Power Authority

Natalie Demaree

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Natalie Demaree is a service journalism reporter covering Mississippi for McClatchy Media. She holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia Journalism School and a bachelor’s in journalism and political science with a specialization in African and African American Studies from the University of Arkansas.