The Gulf Coast Business Council’s Masters Leadership Class recently completed a multi-day regional field study as part of its year-long initiative focused on artificial intelligence and regional competitiveness.
Each year, GCBC’s Masters Leadership program brings together established leaders from across business, government, education, and community organizations to examine one major regional challenge. Participants are selected through an application processbased on their leadership experience and ability to contribute to the issue at hand.
This year’s class is focused on using artificial intelligence to support the development of a “Plan of Plans” for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The initiative seeks to analyze and synthesize existing plans from coastal counties, municipalities, economic development organizations, and other partners into one master framework designed to strengthen the region’s competitiveness.
Understanding Workforce and Industry Needs
The trip began at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center in Gulfport, where the class gathered before traveling east for a day focused on regional assets, workforce, economic development, and community growth.
The stop reinforced the importance of workforce development as a core component of regional competitiveness, particularly as the Coast continues to grow in advanced manufacturing, technology, defense, aerospace, and blue economy sectors.
Exploring Natural Assets and Resiliency
The class visited the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Moss Point for an overview and boat tour, offering participants a closer look at one of the Coast’s most important natural assets.
The visit highlighted how environmental stewardship, resiliency, tourism, research, and quality of life all factor into long-term economic planning for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Community Development in Moss Point and Pascagoula
Following lunch at Brady’s in Pascagoula, the class participated in a walking and windshield tour of downtown Moss Point before receiving a briefing from the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.
The group also toured downtown Pascagoula and Sunplex Industrial Park, gaining insight into local redevelopment efforts, industrial growth opportunities, and the role Jackson County plays in the broader regional economy.
Cyber, Innovation, and Emerging Technology
The class then traveled to Biloxi for a Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center briefing and construction site visit, connecting the day’s economic development conversations to the growing importance of cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and emerging technology across the Coast.
The group concluded the evening in Gulfport with time at The Markham Hotel, providing an opportunity for continued conversation and reflection among cohort members.
Gulf Blue and the Blue Economy
The second day began with a Gulf Blue overview at the Gulf & Ship Island Building in Gulfport. This session connected directly to one of the region’s most promising areas of opportunity: the blue economy.
Through Gulf Blue, the Coast is positioning itself as a hub for ocean technology, uncrewed systems, maritime innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. For the Masters Leadership Class, this stop offered a clear example of how regional collaboration can turn existing assets into a more competitive economic development strategy.
Port of Gulfport and Ocean Innovation
The class also participated in a windshield tour of the Port of Gulfport, including an overview of the Wicker Building and a session connected to Ocean Aero.
These stops highlighted the importance of maritime infrastructure, logistics, defense-related innovation, and ocean technology in shaping the Coast’s future economy.
Long Beach and Western Coast Communities
After lunch at Bull’s Restaurant in Long Beach, the class toured Long Beach to better understand the opportunities and priorities of communities in the western portion of the Coast.
While weather prevented planned visits to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Diamondhead, and Waveland, those destinations remain important piec
es of the regional picture, particularly as the class evaluates transportation, infrastructure, community development, and growth opportunities across all coastal counties.
Aerospace, Defense, and Regional Strategy
The final day brought the cohort to Stennis Airport for a work session and presentations from Davis Pace with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology and Jennifer Goodrum with Rocket Lab.
These discussions connected the Coast’s aerospace, defense, research, and technology assets to the broader goal of creating a more unified regional strategy. The session also included time with Blaine LaFontaine, followed by closing thoughts and next steps from Jamie Miller and Shannon Campbell.
Building a Plan of Plans for the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Throughout the field study, Masters Leadership participants examined the Coast through the lens of workforce, infrastructure, technology, natural resources, community development, economic development, aerospace, defense, and the blue economy.
The goal of this year’s class is not to replace the plans already created by counties, municipalities, and economic development organizations. Instead, the goal is to use artificial intelligence to identify common priorities, strategic gaps, shared opportunities, and areas where greater alignment could help the Mississippi Gulf Coast compete more effectively as a region.
By visiting communities, hearing from local leaders, and seeing key assets firsthand, the Masters Leadership Class is gathering the context needed to ensure the final Plan of Plans reflects the full complexity and opportunity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Coast Business Council extends its appreciation to all of the organizations, community leaders, and partners who hosted the class and contributed to this important regional effort.
