MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST • Business • People • ProgressSeptember 2026
The Coast Ahead
Coverage area

Economic Development

Investments, regional priorities and the decisions that shape how growth reaches businesses, workers and communities across the Coast.

Business and community leaders gathered for a Gulf Coast Business Council meeting
Regional development • Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Coast has plenty of plans. Now 16 leaders must decide what comes first.

A regional committee is expected to narrow existing plans into a shorter Coastwide agenda.

September 7, 2026 • Pamela Berry-Johnson
Read the story
Data and economy • Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Coast is growing. These 5 numbers show what has to work next.

Five comparisons place the Coast’s growth announcements in practical context.

September 7, 2026 • Pamela Berry-Johnson
Read the analysis
Workforce • Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula

The Coast added 1,200 jobs. So why did its workforce shrink?

Payroll jobs grew while the resident labor force became smaller.

September 7, 2026 • Pamela Berry-Johnson
Read the story