Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

From the
Salt Water TO THE STARS
The Spirit and Strength of Coastal Mississippi
Whether it’s the smell of fresh shrimp frying on a back deck, the roar of a Navy shiplaunchingfromPascagoula,orthe hum of a rocket test echoing from the piney woods of Stennis, one thing’s for sure, Coastal Mississippi is alive with energy.
It’s a region built on resilience, hard work, and a whole lot of grit. And these days, that hard work is paying off in a
big way. The Gulf Coast isn’t just a great place to relax. It’s a place where industries thrive, from the saltwater to the stars.
Steel-Toe Boots & Powering America’s Navy
The hum of welders and hammering of steel in Pascagoula tells a story, one of national defense and South Mississippi
Pascagoula.
story by Cherie Ward craftsmanship. Ingalls Shipbuilding is the
state’s largest private employer, with about 10,000menandwomenbuildingwarships for the U.S. Navy. These ships are built with skill, pride, and a lot of South Mississippi muscle. When they sail, they carry part of the Coast with them.
But the Coast’s shipbuilding industry reaches far beyond Ingalls’ gates, and adding to the maritime muscle are VT Halter Marine, Bollinger, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, and Rolls-Royce naval operations.
Where Industry Meets Waterfront Living
Industry may fuel the Coast, but so do sunsets over the Mississippi Sound, the thrill of Cruisin’ the Coast, the sounds of the Crawfish Music Festival, the pull of the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, the artisans of the Peter Anderson Art event,theendlessMardiGrasandseafood celebrations, and the unbeatable charm
of small-town life by the water.
The beaches, casinos, and seafood spots
are legendary, and tourism is booming
with more than 15 million visitors annually, contributing over $2 billion tothelocaleconomyandsupporting thousands of jobs. And with infrastructure improvements like the Gulfport pedestrian bridge and expanded air service through the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, the Coast is ready to welcome even more travelers.
It starts with the beaches. Stretching from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula, Coastal Mississippi boasts 26 miles of pristine, groomed shoreline and some of the most stunning beaches in the Gulf South.
Biloxi Beach, known for its bright, powdery sand, draws sun-seekers and families alike, while barrier islands like Ship Island offer ferry-accessible day trips for nature lovers and history buffs.
For the adventurous, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blueways offer a chance to kayak
or paddleboard through calm bayous, rivers,andmarshesteemingwithwildlife. Anglers will find world-class fishing just offshore, while boaters explore quiet harbors and scenic waterways dotted with charming coastal towns.
90 | August 2025 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living