Governor allocates over $100M in GOMESA funding to Gulf Coast projects
SuperTalk MS
Caleb Sears | April 12, 2023
Governor Tate Reeves has signed a bill into law allocating over $100 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funding to projects on the Mississippi Coast. House Bill 1636, authored by Representative John Read, R-Gautier, directs the GOMESA funds to be distributed along the state’s coastal region for various structural improvements. $2,000,000 to assist the City of Pascagoula with the Live Oak Corridor Drainage to Remedy Flooding.
Bollinger to Complete Berthing Barge Series for U.S. Navy
G Captain
Mike Schuler | April 11, 2023
Bollinger Shipyards been awarded U.S. Navy contract for the detailed design and construction of the sixth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. Construction will take place at the renamed Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2023. The previous five APLs were built by VT Bollinger, which Bollinger acquired in late 2022. Halter received the initial contract in 2018 covering an initial two units, with options for four additional units. Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, thanked the U.S. Navy for entrusting the company to build the sixth APL berthing barge. “This contract is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at Bollinger, and our commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable vessels that meet the Navy’s rigorous standards. We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with the Navy and delivering this critical asset to support our national defense,” Bordelon said.
The Best Places To Travel In The U.S. In 2023, According To The Experts
Forbes
Laura Bloom | April 13, 2023
Mississippi has also carved out a signature culinary culture, with high-end dining by celebrity chefs to farm-to-table spots to no-frills establishments. In historic downtown Ocean Springs, Vestige offers a contemporary American menu paired with inspiration of the flavors and techniques of Japan, while at Elvie’s in Jackson, chef Hunter Evans channels his passion for food and hospitality learned in his grandmother Elvieretta’s New Orleans kitchen. The Delta is also known for tamales, and the easiest way to experience this beloved snack is by following the Hot Tamale Trail.
5 best day trips from New Orleans
Axios
Chelea Brasted | April 7, 2023
Local flavor: Just over the bay from Biloxi, Ocean Springs is a charming, artistic enclave where you can explore local shops, art galleries and Shearwater Pottery, which is still operated by the family of prolific yet reclusive southern artist Walter Anderson. Distance from New Orleans: 92 miles, or about 1 hour and 35 minutes What to do: Plan to spend a couple of hours at the Walter Anderson Museum, which beautifully captures the artist’s eccentric life and his otherworldly watercolors, prints and sculptures. The museum includes some amazing artifacts, like the small cottage he painted from floor to ceiling, and the boat he’d use to row himself out to Horn Island, where he drew so much of his inspiration. Where to eat: Get an afternoon zip from a cup of coffee at Bright Eyed Brew Co., but stick around for reservations at Vestige, a James Beard Semifinalist that offers an exquisite tasting menu nightly.
Ocean Springs businesses receive façade grant improvement program
WXXV
Brooke Parker | April 10, 2023
There may be some big changes coming to Downtown Ocean Springs thanks to the Façade Grant Improvement Program. They received a $20,000 grant through a partnership with the Ocean Springs Chamber of Main Street and Mississippi Power Foundation. This money will be divided up between existing commercial businesses who apply. The money is meant to revitalize the area from Holcomb Boulevard to Front Beach and the downtown district area.
Gov. Reeves signs off on Pascagoula hotel tax extension through 2027
WLOX
Leslie Rojas | March 23, 2023
Officials in the city of Pascagoula are celebrating a win after the extension of the hotel tax was signed by Governor Tate Reeves on Thursday. Pascagoula is home to many well-known events like Cruisin’ the Coast, Festival Hispano and Third Fridays. “Everyone in Pascagoula is tired of having to drive this way and that way to go find stuff to buy to eat, to have a good time, and now, we are doing it in our town, so we don’t have to go anywhere,” resident Bill Glenn said.
Contract Award: Huntington Ingalls Inc. (Pascagoula, Mississippi) – $8,506,601
Defense Daily
March 20, 2023
Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded an $8,506,601 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-22-C-2300 for the incorporation of additional work items in support of the ongoing Combat System Availability for DDG 1002. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (91%); Dublin, Pennsylvania (9%); Moss Point, Mississippi (less than 1%); and Houma, Louisiana (less than 1%), and is expected to be completed by October 2023. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,506,601 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-22-C-2300).
Moss Point City Council hosts redevelopment public meeting
WXXV
Rick Gogreve | March 21, 2023
The City of Moss Point held a public meeting to discuss redevelopment and redistricting plans for the future. The first topic of discussion was going over details of the potential redistricting of the city. This plan will see several adjustments of the six wards, all made to help adjust population balance amongst them. Following this discussion, the council discussed the possibility of a tax increment financing redevelopment plan.
US Navy use Ingalls Shipbuilding’s expertise in planning yard services contract for Littoral Combat Ship
Naval Technology
Harry McNeil | March 23, 2023
Huntington-Ingalls Industries – Ingalls Shipbuilding has been awarded a $140m modification contract by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast to provide planning yard services for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in-service ships. The contract includes options to exercise to accomplish the planning yard services, and the work is expected to be completed by April 2024. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast, based in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the contracting activity for this project.
City of Ocean Springs renovating historic site Marble Springs
WXXV
Jazell Ladner | March 21, 2023
Located near the intersection of Bienville Boulevard and Washington Avenue, Marble Springs Park in Ocean Springs is a historic site that has been hidden for a while, but the city hopes it will become more popular once renovations are done. Marble Springs is a site where many people in the 1800s would visit to sit in medicinal tubs known as mineral springs. The tub was considered to have health benefits. It was a popular tourist spot where old Ocean Springs Hotel would bus people to.
Gulf Coast economic development, infrastructure to receive $51 million in BP funds
Magnolia Tribune
Frank Corder | March 27, 2023
The Mississippi Legislature has adopted the conference report for Senate Bill 3047 which appropriates nearly $51 million in BP settlement funds to be spread mainly across the lower six counties in the Gulf Coast region. In all, 29 projects were named in the bill that now heads to the desk of Governor Tate Reeves (R)… Jackson County Economic Development Foundation: Sunplex Light Industrial Park Site Improvements and Trent Lott Airport – $2,000,000…
Navy Awards $1.3B to Ingalls Shipbuilding for LPD-32 Amphibious Warship
USNI News
Mallory Shelbourne | March 31, 2023
The Navy has issued a $1.295 billion contract modification to HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding for the detail design and construction of LPD-32, the last San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock under the service’s current budget plans. The contract, announced Friday, follows a $240 million advanced procurement award issued to Ingalls last June for long-lead items.
HII Announces New Vice President and Chief Counsel of Ingalls Shipbuilding
Press Release
March 24, 2023
HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that Julie Jarrell Gresham has been named vice president and chief counsel of the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. She will succeed George Simmerman Jr. who will retire March 31, 2023, after 32 years with the company. Gresham, who previously served as deputy chief counsel and director of compliance and privacy, will report directly to Chad Boudreaux, HII’s executive vice president and chief legal officer, and indirectly to Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson. In this new role, Gresham will oversee and coordinate the provision of legal guidance to Ingalls Shipbuilding.
Wicker, Hyde-Smith & Ezell Welcome $51.8 Million in GOMESA Funds for Miss
Press Release
March 30, 2023
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representative Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) today welcomed the distribution of more than $51.8 million to the State of Mississippi and its three Gulf Coast counties for coastal conservation, restoration, and hazard mitigation activities. The funding represents Mississippi’s share of revenues generated through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). The State of Mississippi will receive $41,470,571 in FY2022 funding, with another $4,321,386 for Jackson County, $4,082,132 for Harrison County, and $1,964,123 for Hancock County.
River Road Boat Club celebrates new marina opening in Pascagoula
WXXV
Spencer Pullen | April 3, 2023
It was an all-day celebration for the grand opening of a new marina in Jackson County. The River Road Boat Club held its inaugural Tank Music Fest on Saturday. The festival included several live bands, all the crawfish and jambalaya you could eat, vendors, and more. Some stayed on their boats, soaking in the good vibes on Krebs Lake. For Pascagoula resident Chad Crawford, he’s just excited to have a new marina in the Flagship City. “It gives another place to go because Pascagoula, usually uses most of the boat launches on the south. This is the north side. There’s another side out here for people to go out and find.”