Superior Optical Labs looking to create more coastal jobs through expansion

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – A warehouse where glasses are made in Jackson County will soon see some major change, something Superior Optical Labs CEO Derek Bodart is excited about.

“I didn’t know what my expectations were since it’s my first time, but I knew there was money out there,” Bodart said.

Superior Optical Lab, with the backing of leaders in Jackson, will invest $12.5 million to bring close to 200 jobs to the Gulf Coast.

It’s not just the jobs he is excited about.

“Hurricanes have always been on our minds because of where we live, and I remember years ago they kept hitting the same time and place. We wanted to come up with something where we don’t have to worry so much with the power outages,” Bodart said. “Luckily, we are far enough from the water we don’t have to worry about flooding.”

Part of the investment was to buy a generator for the manufacturing site to help solve the issue, a major thing for Bodart because of what they do.

They make around 2,000 glasses for veterans with the help of the VA.

“If we get hit by a hurricane or the power is out for whatever reason, we are down,” Bodart said. “We cannot make anything, and both the government and veterans won’t get their glasses.”

As a seven-year Navy veteran, this investment hits home to Bodart, and is looking forward to expanding into the civilian market to make sure jobs are created to help those who served.

“We try to do that. We try to do one little thing for them to make sure they have a good day,” Bodart said. “I’m very passionate about it and it gives us strides to come into work to put our best foot forward and put a great product out the door.”

Bodart says they are looking to double their numbers and make up to 6,000 glasses a day.

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