Harrison County supervisors have given Northrop Grumman a five-year tax exemption for equipment purchased for its $16 million improvement project at the company’s Gulfport operation.

Larry Barnett, director of the Harrison County Development Commission, said the exemption applies only to the upgrade, which equals about $89,000 in county taxes.

Northrop Grumman officials say they purchased a new bridge crane and mold table used in the fabrication of composite structures.

Barnett says the commission also plans to ask the city of Gulfport for a tax break for the project, which would total about $84,000.

Barnett says Northrop sill pays about $419,000 yearly in taxes to the city, county and school district.

The Gulfport facility employs about 550.