Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2019

DIAMONDHEAD
COAST’S NEWEST CITY CONTINUES TO GROW
City of Diamondhead
228.222.4626 www.diamondhead.ms.gov
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
While technically the new kid on the block, having become a city just seven years ago, Diamondhead’s beginnings
go back to the 1950s. When the Federal Highway Act of 1956 created I-10, Hancock County became a hotspot for industry, especially with the construction of NASA’s Stennis Space Center in the 1960s. With an influx of new workers and their families rushing into the
area, the development of what is now Diamondhead began to take place. Starting with an initial purchase of 6,000 acres, a lively community started to take form in the hope of becoming a place where people could live, work and retire.
“These days Diamondhead is a well planned community of approximately 8,700 residents,” said Mayor Tommy Schafer. “We are a largely residential community as designed. We have all the necessities, including banks, restaurants, a post office, hardware store, grocery store, clothing stores and more.”
In 2018, Diamondhead saw steady demand for single family homes and renewed demand for an entirely new subdivision within the city. “Glen Eagle phase II has been re-engineered and plans are complete,” Schafer said. “Resort style developments continue to have interest on the south side of Diamondhead in
the marina area and commercial and light retail developments, including two assisted living facilities, have shown an interest in Diamondhead have shown
a renewed interest since our intestate exchange lighting project has begun.”
In December of 2017, Mayor Tommy Schafer and the city council unanimously voted to hire Mr. Michael Reso as the Diamondhead City Manager to manage all day to day and administrative functions for the city; a year later things are working well and moving in positive directions. “The city is financially sound with adequate reserves and municipal audits are current,” Schafer said. “Municipal department staff levels are increasing
due to growth in demand and a slow
but steady growth in sales tax revenue coupled with residential building.”
As far as 2019 goes, the Mayor and city council have placed focuses on storm water management and public safety
in general. Additionally, the city plans
to continue to develop and expand its blueways. Diamondhead added two new kayak launches as part of Rotten Bayou Blueway in 2018 and hopes to add two more kayak launches, a new public boat launch and fishing piers to expand on this outdoor opportunity for residents and tourists.
108 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • January 2019 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
THIS CITY SPONSORED BY
CITY
CLOSEUPS
CITY OF