BAY ST. LOUIS (AP) — The government will locate a passport printing facility at the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.

U.S. Government Printing Office said Tuesday that the facility will produce blank passport books. It will employ more than 50 people when operations begin this spring.

The GPO said facility will meet the Department of State’s request for a secure production site outside of Washington D.C., and help address the growing demand for passports.

The Stennis Space Center is NASA’s primary center for rocket propulsion testing. The Center is a multi-agency center with more than 30 resident agencies.