Page 93 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

Biloxi.
of service members and civilian workers, the base is a vital part of the Coast’s identity.
The Coast Way
The Coast way might be small- town in spirit, but the economic footprint is anything but small with shipbuilding, shrimping, aerospace, and hospitality. Coastal Mississippi has proven that you don’t have to be a big city to make a big impact. With more boats and ships than skyscrapers, the Coast is building opportunities and securities that solidify the future for generations. And now all eyes are on the expanding horizon.
The Coast has weathered storms, rebuilt, and come back stronger every time with its hardworking people, thriving industries, and unmatched quality of
life, and is just getting started. It’s a
place where industry, innovation, and conservationallcometogetherandthe Coast is poised for exciting growth, with millions of dollars in new projects rolling out.
Thanks to critical funding from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and the RESTORE Act, communities along the Coast are set to receive major investments in infrastructure, industry, environmental restoration, and economic development.
Ports, Logistics, Global Connections, & Possibilities
The Port of Gulfport is more than a scenic backdrop, it’s a hub of commerce, logistics, and opportunity. With growing container traffic, international trade,
and major employers setting up shop,
the Coast’s logistical footprint keeps expanding. It ranks among the Southern Gulf’s busiest container ports, supporting both industrial trade and seafood exports.
Along with ports in Pascagoula and Mobile, the region is a critical logistics and shipping junction. Major companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS are expanding warehousing operations, driving job creation and connectivity.
Hospitals, Classrooms, & Military Might
Healthcare on the Coast is growing to match the needs of a vibrant, working population. Memorial Hospital Gulfport employs nearly 5,000 people and anchors a healthcare network that includes Singing River Health System, Merit Health Biloxi, the VA, and Keesler Medical Center.
Meanwhile, colleges like Mississippi
Gulf Coast Community College, Pearl River Community College, University
of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus, William Carey University Tradition Campus, and Blue Cliff College are crafting the next generation of workforceleadersbyproducinghealthcare professionals and more. The education community invests in its people and that keeps the most talented individuals right on the Coast.
And of course, Keesler Air Force
Base remains a cornerstone of Coastal Mississippi. With an estimated $1.4 billion economic impact, plus thousands
“ It’s a place where industry, innovation, and conservation all come together and the Coast is poised for exciting growth ”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net August 2025 | 93