State gives $49 million for 15 projects that enhance coastal Mississippi economy

Gov. Tate Reeves on Thursday announced 15 new RESTORE Act projects at the seventh annual Restoration Summit in Biloxi.

The projects total approximately $49 million.

“Mississippi’s economy is thriving in every region across our state, and this includes our Gulf Coast," Reeves said. "These 15 new projects that I approved will strengthen our coastal economy and better the quality of life for those living there."

The RESTORE Act was enacted in 2012 as a result of of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to help rebuild the coastal economies in Gulf states.

Reeves said the projects are chosen from proposals submitted each year.

"We're directing funds to the areas that give us the greatest opportunity to strengthen our coastal economy and better the quality of life for those living here," he said at a news conference Thursday in Biloxi.

Approximately $795 million already has been spent by the state through MDEQ on restoration projects across the Coast since 2012.

“There is a purpose and strategy to our restoration work,” Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Chris Wells said. “From ecological restoration and conservation, to infrastructure, to workforce development and tourism, there are many factors at play in each project.

"We are excited for today’s announcement of projects which directs our work towards continued and purposeful restoration in Mississippi.”

Reeves said the projects also help prepare the future of the Gulf states' economies.

For example, Reeves praised Pearl River Community College's commitment to its aviation aerospace workforce academy, which received approximately $2 million from RESTORE funds.

He said the future of space exploration begins in Mississippi.

"These funds will go directly to providing a concrete education for students interested in landing a career in the aerospace industry," Reeves said.

The other projects were chosen for their contributions to enhancing the Coast.

The projects include funding in two buckets. One for direct funding and the other is spill impact funding.

RESTORE Act Direct Component Funding (Bucket 1)

• Lowery Island Restoration ($4.4 million): create a marina and mixed-use district.

• Pearl River Community College Hancock Aviation Aerospace Workforce Academy ($2.09 million): purchase equipment to support the establishment of PRCC Aerospace Workforce Academy.

• The Kiln Utility District and Fire District Water and Sewer Expansion Project ($3.0 million): expand water and sewer to support increased development.

• Hwy 609 Washington Street Gateway Phase II ($5.5 million): construct pedestrian-friendly features including sidewalks, crosswalks, and landscaped median under Phase II from Old Fort Bayou to U.S. 90.

• Trent Lott International Airport North Apron Expansion ($2.4 million): expand the north apron of the Trent Lott International Airport.

• Magnificent Mile: I-10 Hwy 63 Corridor Improvement ($5.5 million): investment in road infrastructure to alleviate traffic congestion and encourage development.

• Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Secondary Runway Extension ($2.2 million): funding will expand the secondary runway.

• Port Bienville Railroad Intermodal Expansion ($3.3 million): construction of a 7-track classification yard and the addition of a truck to rail intermodal facility expansion.

RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component Funding (Bucket 3)

• Jones Park Expansion Parking Areas ($1.65 million): expand parking areas at Jones Park.

• Walter Anderson Museum of Art Creative Complex ($1.2 million): provide funding for facility construction and new program implementation.

• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Workforce Training ($4.95 million): development of curricula and workforce development program designed to meet job market needs.

• Health Professions for our Community (HEALP): Health Professions Center of Excellence ($6.6 million): project will focus on developing a Health Professionals Center of Excellence.

• Marina at Front Beach ($5.5 million): funding to convert derelict shrimp processing plant to marina and event center.

• Institute of Marine Mammal Studies Outreach and Ecotourism ($875,000): enhance and expand ecotourism around Gulf Coast marine resources.

• St. Stanislaus and Ocean Springs Environmental Education ($566,500): enhance environmental science programs related to marine ecosystem education.

For more information on Mississippi’s restoration efforts, visit www.restore.ms.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Coast projects benefit from Deepwater Horizon settlement funds