Gulfport’s Economic Development is Booming

Tuesday, business leaders across the Coast gathered to hear updates on Gulfport’s economic development. City officials say it’s an exciting time to invest in Gulfport.

With Cruisin’ the Coast headquartered in Gulfport, it was a great week for business, but now leaders turn their focus to the long term. David Parker, Economic Development Coordinator for Gulfport, says, "You could just point right here to five different projects that are $275 million dollars, and that’s just what’s already been announced. There are other investments that are being planned that are going to make those numbers pale."

Memorial Hospital is investing $68 million in upgrades and the Island View Casino has dedicated $50 million to a new hotel. Centennial Plaza is also getting ready for a complete renovation, starting with a Holiday Inn Resort. Parker also says, "Le Triomphe, the developers the city is working with, has announced a four phase plan. The first phase is a $40 million investment."

Gulfport is also focused on diversifying its major projects, like expanding the sports complex to increase tourism opportunities. Cara Pucheu, Gulfport City Councilwoman for Ward 7, says, "The casinos and the other cities have other things, but we’re really trying to capture that economic development of the sports industry on the Coast."

City officials say they’re focused on expanding the sports complex because it’s a fast pass in the right direction for the city’s economic development. Pucheu closes, "You have to expand your fields because with the large events and the number of teams, you have to be able to have the number of fields available to actually accommodate those larger tournaments."

Gulfport officials say they anticipate even more development announcements in the coming months. City leaders say their development has caught some big name attention. They tell News 25 to expect filming for a major TV series to start in Gulfport later in October.