Amusement Park expansion coming to Biloxi

Locals and tourists will be looking for a new amusement park and hotel at Margaritaville instead of a lost shaker of salt.

Its five o’clock somewhere, but a little after 3 p.m. a huge announcement was made at Margaritaville that will attract more tourists to the Coast.  Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said, “We signed a lease with Margaritaville and Biloxi Lodging to expand the current facility with a $140 million investment by private enterprises.”

This investment includes a new hotel and amusement park which will be located west of the property on the north side of Highway 90. Vincent Creel with the City of Biloxi Public Affairs said, “Margaritaville first came forward with this announcement in 2016. Since then, they have been working to secure the approvals from the secretary of state.”

Margaritaville will pay the state $655,000 a year for a tidelands lease. The hotel is expected to take over two and a half years. Both projects will create six hundred new jobs. Biloxi City Councilman Kenny Glavan said, “Our market is growing and that’s real exciting. You are going to see more hotels take that investment leap and give that quality lodging experience to the visitors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Although it’s the casinos that attract adults to South Mississippi, the amusement park will increase family fun for everyone to enjoy here on the Coast. “It creates that image that we have affordable family entertainment. We want to get that message out that this is why you want to be on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Glavan.

Governor Phil Bryant tells News 25 the park will bring joy to kids in South Mississippi, including his grandkids who will enjoy the rides when the park opens. “You got the beach. You got the resorts. Now, this world class amusement park. We are going to have everything people need to come and visit our Gulf Coast.”