Business leaders across the Gulf Coast are urging lawmakers to channel millions in special economic development funds toward projects that create high-paying jobs and attract private investment to South Mississippi.
The money stems from a settlement with BP and related companies over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Under the agreement, Mississippi will receive $477 million in total, distributed in annual installments of about $30 million through 2033. The Mississippi Legislature manages how these funds—known as the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund (GCRF)—are spent.
So far, over $200 million has been allocated across the state’s six southernmost counties. Yet, according to regional business leaders, many of these projects lack the transformative impact originally envisioned.
Small-Scale Spending vs. Regional Impact
Jamie Miller, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council, says that while many approved local projects have value, they don’t significantly boost the regional economy.
“We’ve seen more small projects coming from cities and counties that aren’t bad projects, necessarily,” Miller said. “They just have very little economic impact regionally.”
Some legislators have admitted they sought to spread the money around within their districts. As a result, GCRF funding has gone to smaller initiatives such as a park in Picayune and a hospital cafeteria in Lucedale, while other allocations filled local budget gaps—for instance, a road extension in Biloxi and a public safety building in Bay St. Louis.
Due to overspending in previous years, no new projects were funded in 2024 or 2025.
New Application Round Set for 2026
A Coast advisory panel, chaired by Jamie Miller, is currently reviewing 87 new applications for potential 2026 funding. Miller’s previous role as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) gives him valuable insight, since the MDA administers the GCRF program.
A recent Business Council review highlighted the need for bigger, bolder initiatives:
“While the total volume of applications and funding requests reflect the level of need and ambition across the region, few of the 2026 submissions could be classified as transformational,” the report stated. “As we move forward, the Gulf Coast Business Council remains committed to fostering projects that shape tomorrow’s economy.”
Key Projects Driving Growth in South Mississippi
Below are several GCRF-backed projects that Miller and regional leaders view as examples of effective economic development—each pairing state funding with matching private or federal investments.
| Project Name | Location | GCRF Funding | Matching Funds | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center | Biloxi (near Keesler AFB) | $20 million | $17.8 million | Led by Mississippi State University, this center will focus on cybersecurity training, research, and outreach, supporting Keesler AFB’s mission and positioning South Mississippi as a national cybersecurity hub. |
| Ocean Enterprise | Gulf Coast (USM-led) | $11.5 million | $20.2 million | Managed by the University of Southern Mississippi, this initiative advances uncrewed maritime systems and blue economy research, bringing private-sector jobs to the region. |
| Aviation and Aerospace Workforce Academy | Kiln (near Stennis Space Center) | $1.9 million | $8.08 million | Developed by Pearl River Community College, the academy trains students for aerospace and aviation careers, enhancing local workforce capabilities. |
| North Rail Connector | Pascagoula | $6.6 million | $8.9 million | A Port of Pascagoula project improving rail capacity and connectivity at Bayou Casotte Harbor, enhancing logistics and trade. |
| Stennis Technology Park | Hancock County | $4 million | $9.3 million | A 20-acre technology park supporting industries in aerospace, unmanned systems, and the blue economy, designed to attract investors and create skilled jobs. |
| Pearl River County Technology Park | Picayune | $1.8 million | $650,000 | A 30-acre park near Picayune Municipal Airport, intended to attract aerospace and tech firms and raise local wages. |
| Gulfport Town Center | Downtown Gulfport | $10.5 million | $94.6 million | A mixed-use redevelopment including 136 apartments, a hotel, retail spaces, and a parking garage. It’s expected to generate significant private investment and revitalize Gulfport’s downtown area. |
Pushing for Long-Term Regional Transformation
Miller and other Coast leaders argue that Mississippi must prioritize projects that build long-term prosperity, such as technology hubs, industrial infrastructure, and workforce development centers—not just local beautification or small facility upgrades.
The goal is to ensure that the BP settlement funds—once intended to restore and revitalize the Gulf Coast economy—deliver measurable returns, attract new industries, and boost wages across the region.
By combining state support, private investment, and academic expertise, these high-impact projects could help transform South Mississippi into a center for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and coastal technology.
