The Gazebo Gazette
JACKSON (GG) — Governor Tate Reeves announced Thursday, December 11 that Mississippi will invest over $100 million in economic development, infrastructure improvements, workforce training, tourism and conservation initiatives across the state.
The majority of grant approvals will fund projects aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s economy through site development, infrastructure improvements and workforce training support. The investment will expand infrastructure at sites statewide and position Mississippi to attract additional record-breaking private sector investment. Funding comes from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Delta Regional Authority (DRA), RESTORE Act, GOMESA and the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC).
“Whether it’s $49 billion in new private sector investment or finalizing the five largest economic development projects in state history, Mississippi is breaking records that were once thought to be unbreakable,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “The over $100 million investment I announced today will help Mississippi continue its record-shattering economic development efforts, attract billions in future capital investment and strengthen our entire state. It’s another great day for Mississippi and her people.”
MDA is committing $28,635,216 through its Site Development Grant Program, which offers funding in three categories: Select Sites, Premier Sites and Ready Sites. Established in 2021 as an invitation-only initiative, the Select Sites program was created to expand the number of highly competitive industrial sites available to meet the needs of prospective companies. The Premier Sites program targets properties with at least 100 acres and distinctive location advantages, such as high-demand areas and access to intermodal facilities or ports.
The Ready Sites program focuses on properties with a minimum of 20 highly developable acres that can be site-work ready within six months or have utilities in place within 12 months. Grants awarded for Harrison County include:
- Point Cadet Phase 3 – Harrison County – $6,500,000 for the construction of additional floating docks, associated infrastructure and other marina amenities.
- GBRIA Secondary Runway Extension – Harrison County – $3,500,000 to extend Runway 18-36 at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
- Expanding Oyster Shell Recycling – Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties – $553,920 to continue the development and implementation of an oyster shell recycling program for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Additionally, Reeves approved $31,202,000 in RESTORE Act funding that will be used for tourism, conservation, workforce development and infrastructure improvements where the projects above were included.
- Long Beach Smallcraft Harbor – West Jetty Hardening – Harrison County – $2,453,900 to construct a reinforced concrete wall system along the western jetty at Long Beach Harbor to provide stabilization, improve storm resilience and protect harbor infrastructure from erosion and hurricane impacts.
$10,000,000 in GOMESA funding was approved that will be used for workforce development and infrastructure improvements and the project above was included.
(Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette)
