Pascagoula Hosts Local Business Forum

Pascagoula’s Main Street Association, Mississippi Power, and Community Bank hosted a business forum Wednesday. Business owners traded cards and shook hands Wednesday at the Jackson County Civic Center as part of a live-to-live forum and business expo.

One downtown business says they come to events like these to grow and expand their business in the ever-changing market. Joe Stout, owner of Coast Clothing Company, says, “There has been a lot of changes over the years and we’ve had to change a lot ourselves to stay in business. You have to do that, you have to constantly work on your business and add new things.”

Coast Clothing Company has been in downtown Pascagoula since 1919, but they say it hasn’t been easy. They’ve survived Hurricane Katrina, the ’08 stock market crash, and the BP oil spill. Those hosting the expo Wednesday say the resilience of small businesses is what makes Pascagoula thrive. Tomeka Durr-Wiley of Mississippi Power says, “Small businesses are very critical or very important to our local economy. So this is an opportunity again for them to get out and showcase what they have to offer to our general public to help build their business and grow their business.”

Both old and new business owners attended the expo to not only share words of wisdom, but also to discuss joint business ventures to help expand their companies. Stout also says, “We’ve met people out here today that have set up, that have never been to the store even though they’re local. So those contacts have been invaluable to us.”

The expo also featured resources like the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, planning and development boards, and business centers. Durr-Wiley closes, “That’s why we brought the resources side in, to help them to provide information for any businesses that are looking at maybe expanding.”

As downtown Pascagoula continues to grow, expos like these will help coach and counsel business leaders. Those hosting the event Wednesday say they hope this expo will be the first of many to help grow Pascagoula.