Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

COAST NOTES
Award Winners
Ocean Springs Main Street awards Moss Point Main Street award
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of the Mississippi Main Street Association
Coast towns did well among statewide towns receiving awards from the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) this year. Seven towns and two Main Street directors were among the winners. With the awards MMSA celebrated downtown revitalization, success and local programs at a luncheon in Jackson.
“A thriving downtown provides increased tax revenue and economic growth while promoting a community’s unique sense of place,” said MSMA Board President Chance McDavid. “We celebrate all of the Main Street award winners and their relentless efforts to build stronger, more resilient towns and cities in Mississippi.”
Moss Point and Ocean Springs received 2026 Main Street Awards. Receiving recognition as Nationally Accredited Main Street programs are Biloxi, Moss Point, Ocean Springs,
Pascagoula, Gulfport and Pass Christian.
Two local Main Streets directors, Kay Miller of Biloxi and Cynthia Sutton of Ocean Springs, were given awards for 10 or more years of service. Miller has directed the Biloxi program for 23 years, and Sutton has led Ocean Springs for 19 years. Miller had the most years of service of the 10 honorees.
Awards for New Network programs were awarded to Long Beach and Farish Street Historic District in Jackson.
This year’s annual awards Presenting Sponsors were CREATE Foundation, Hancock Whitney Bank, Mississippi Power, Neel-Schaffer Engineering and Ten One Strategies. Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street- Tourism was among the industrial sponsors.
In 2025, Mississippi Main Street’s Designated Communities generated 361
new businesses, 73 business expansions, 834 new jobs and 1,526 downtown residential units. In addition, 370 downtown projects were completed. More than $209 million was invested
by the public/private sector in 2025, and more than 87,023 volunteer hours were recorded. Since 1993, MMSA has catalyzed more than $7 billion in public and private reinvestment in Main Street communities.
MMSA currently has 49 Designated Main Street communities, three Network communities and 31 associate members.
www.msmainstreet.com
14 | August 2026
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