Mississippi Main Street Association Conference in Ocean Springs

The annual retreat by the Mississippi Main Street Association is hosted at the Gulf Hills Hotel and Resort.

The retreat lasts for two days including training and educational sessions for local directors to help foster and grow their downtown areas.

Picayune, Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, and Moss Point are the seven cities part of the Mississippi Main Street Association on the Coast.

Lisa Thompson of Main Street America coordinated the sessions, sharing the collaborative efforts to keep downtown alive. “Giving the tools to help support our small local businesses. You know, so we need these buildings to be activated, and what better way than to support local entrepreneurs, but it’s also about getting the community involved. So, you know, who are the people that live in your place? And do they feel welcome and invited in downtown? Because we really believe that downtowns are for everyone.”