The Gazebo Gazette

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (GG) — The Gulf Coast Restoration Fund (GCRF) Advisory Board completed its review of project applications and formally submitted its ranked list of funding recommendations to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) for consideration Friday, November 14, 2025. 

“The recommendations provided by the advisory board serve as valuable guidance to MDA as we develop our final recommendation to the Mississippi Legislature,” said Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). “I want to thank the members of the board  for their dedication to this important effort.” 

The board reviewed 89 project applications received in September and hosted four public meetings to discuss projects, hear presentations and engage in discussion. After thorough  evaluation, the board ranked their top 16 projects that align with the purpose of the state’s  economic damages settlement with BP to ensure a return on the public investment. 

Jamie Miller, Chairman of the GCRF Advisory Board, said, “I’m proud of the work accomplished by  the advisory board. It was grounded in transparency, public engagement, and with the goal of  identifying projects that have the greatest potential for regional impact. The board is committed  to recommending projects that meet the statutory intent, leverage private investment, and create  long-term economic opportunity across the Coast.” 

One of the board’s top priorities includes a revolving loan trust fund to support targeted industry development and recruitment across the six-county region. The concept is to provide gap  financing alongside traditional financing and have the money revolve back into the fund so it can  be deployed again to multiple projects over time. 

The final list of recommended projects, totaling $69 million, reflects a balance of investment  across infrastructure, workforce development, healthcare, and innovation. Project selection was  based on several factors, including applicant readiness, alignment with regional needs, and  appropriate leveraging of public to private investment. 

The Mississippi Legislature will have approximately $69,000,000 of Gulf Coast Restoration Funds available to appropriate during the 2026 legislative session. The full list of ranked project priorities, funding recommendations and geographic distribution is enclosed with this release. 

Projects Recommended in order of Ranked Priority Recommended Funding

1. Gulfport/Biloxi Regional Airport Runway Extension $3,500,000
2. Regional Research & Development Revolving Loan Fund $7,000,000
3. Long Beach Harbor Complex Restoration $7,000,000
4. Bollinger MS Bulkhead Rehabilitation $5,000,000
5. Memorial Hospital Multispecialty Center $8,000,000
6. HCDC I-10 & Canal Road Site Development $4,000,000
7. William Carey University Campus Student Housing $3,200,000
8. Stennis International Airport Site 1 Hangar Development $7,000,000
9. Superior Optical Facility Expansion $5,000,000
10. City of Moss Point Natural Gas Pipeline Extension $2,800,000
11. George County Industrial Park Water System $1,000,000
12. Stone County Industrial Park Acquisition and Sewer $2,500,000
13. Pearl River Industrial Park Speculative Building $8,000,000
14. Pass Christian Downtown Redevelopment $2,000,000
15. USM Research Foundation Gulf Blue Accelerator $1,000,000
16. Mississippi Songwriters Performing Arts Center $2,000,000
TOTAL:  $69,000,000