Page 94 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

Economic development doesn’t stop at county lines, and neither does opportunity. Across Coastal Mississippi, Harrison County Development Commission, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, and Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission have built a partnership founded on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to growing the region’s economy.
Rather than competing with one another, the three organizations collaborate. They exchange ideas, solve challenges together, and support one another in recruiting new businesses and helping existing industries grow. The philosophy is simple: when one county succeeds, the entire Coast benefits. Every new company, expansion, and job strengthens the regional economy and creates opportunities that extend far beyond a single community.
While united by a common mission, each county contributes distinct strengths that make the Coast uniquely competitive.
Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission serves as a catalyst for industrial growth through strategic sites at Stennis International Airport, Port Bienville, and proximity to NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Its unique assets support innovation in aerospace, maritime industries, and advanced manufacturing while providing businesses with room to expand and thrive.
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast has unique development opportunities with our coastal ports, federal assets, existing industries, and thriving tourism market. We are proud to work with our existing workforce, partners and ecosystem that is established to further leverage strategic investments in site development and infrastructure, supporting emerging technologies and shared vision.” – Blaine Lafontaine, Executive Director, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
Harrison County Development Commission drives business recruitment, expansion, and retention by leveraging one of the region’s most diverse economies. Home to the Port of Gulfport, Keesler Air Force Base, major transportation corridors, and a growing advanced manufacturing and technology sector, Harrison County offers companies an exceptional combination of connectivity, workforce, and quality of life. Investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and business support continue to position Harrison County as a premier destination for industry.
“Investment decisions made by companies are not limited to county boundaries; they assess entire regions. This is why our partnership among Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties is crucial. When I need governmental advice, I turn to Mary Martha in Jackson County. When I encounter site-
94 | August 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story and photos courtesy of the Harrison County Development Commission, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission, and the United States Marine, Inc. (USMI)
Ingalls Shipbuilding