USM’s Marine Education Center Offers All Ages Outdoor Coastal Experiences of a Lifetime

WXXV

Surrounded by breathtaking outdoor trails, walkways and the Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs, Miss, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Marine Education Center (MEC) offers the coastal community opportunities to learn more about the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its inhabitants. The facility’s goal is to immerse guests in the coast’s beauty, share an understanding of its ecology, and remind them of ways they are connected to the ocean, wherever they live. Dr. Jessie Kastler, Director of the MEC, takes pride in the resources the center provides to all ages. She said the experiential education programs are designed to be student-active, place-based, responsive, and inclusive.

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Economic advisors working with Gulfport, Moss Point leaders on downtown redevelopment plans

WLOX

This week, economic advisors worked with both Gulfport and Moss Point leaders to develop downtown real estate redevelopment plans. Gulfport and Moss Point Main Street received a USDA grant to bring Place and Main Advisors. The organization will work with 18 counties across Mississippi to revitalize communities. On Monday, residents toured downtown Moss Point with sticky notes in hand, giving community input on what they would like to see added to the downtown community.

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HII Hosts USMC Officers at Ingalls Shipbuilding

HII (as reported on Fox2now.com)

HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl and officers on March 18 for a meeting with Ingalls leadership and a shipyard tour. Heckl is the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for combat development and integration. “Walking our ships with sailors and Marines always makes for a good day,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “Our shipbuilders are committed to delivering amphibious ships to the fleet.” Ingalls builds the San Antonio (LPD) and America (LHA) classes of amphibious warships. During the visit, Heckl had the opportunity to see first-hand the work taking place aboard amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8), and amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).

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Ingalls Shipbuilding completes successful acceptance trials for LPD 29 

Workboat.com

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced the successful completion of acceptance sea trials for the amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) in the Gulf of Mexico. This vessel marks the final transition ship of Flight I before Ingalls transitions into serial production of the LPD Flight II line. In a collaborative effort involving shipbuilders, the U.S. Navy, and industry partners, the trial demonstrated the ship’s capabilities, including running at full power and executing precise steering maneuvers. Main propulsion comes from four Colt-Pielstick diesel engines producing 40,000 hp. The 25,000-ton vessel is capable of 22 knots.

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