Thursday morning, June 26, saw a full house as more than 130 Gulf Coast Business Council members gathered at the Knight Nonprofit Center Regions Ballroom to hear from Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann. The meeting marked the first in GCBC’s three-part summer series with legislative leadership, focusing on the future of Coastal Mississippi’s economic growth and competitiveness.
Highlights from the Lt. Governor’s Address
Lt. Governor Hosemann opened his remarks by sharing achievements from the 2025 legislative session, including:
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- Education Gains: Mississippi’s ranking improved from 50th to 16th nationally, supported by teacher pay raises and new technology for students.
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- Tax Cuts & Fiscal Responsibility: Passage of House Bill 1 brought the largest tax cut in state history, alongside proposals to reduce grocery taxes. The state paid off $1.2 billion in debt while investing over $2 billion in infrastructure without raising taxes.
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- Government Reform: Reforms to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) were passed, and efforts continue to reorganize state government for efficiency and accessibility.
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- Economic Strength: Mississippi ranks among the top states for GDP growth, reflecting strong economic momentum.
A major theme of Hosemann’s address was the need for an educated workforce to sustain economic growth. Chronic absenteeism remains a concern, with 22% of Harrison County Schools’ students chronically absent.
“We can’t make it on the Coast only educating four out of five kids,” he emphasized.
Strategic Use of Gulf Coast Restoration Funds
Following the general meeting, Lt. Governor Hosemann met privately with senators, economic developers, and regional stakeholders to discuss GCRF allocations in greater depth. This conversation focused on ensuring Coastal Mississippi does not go another two years without appropriating these critical funds and on identifying projects with long-term economic impact.
Looking ahead to the 2026 legislative session, approximately $65 million in Gulf Coast Restoration Funds (GCRF) will be available for strategic investment. GCBC shared its Coastal Mississippi Investment Recommendations, outlining five pillars of opportunity:
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- Economic competitiveness
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- Quality of place
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- Regional collaboration
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- Innovation
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- Strategic and resilient infrastructure
Together, these priorities create a roadmap for investing in projects that not only meet today’s needs but also transform Coastal Mississippi’s economy for decades to come.
Community Impact: Grant Awards Presented
The meeting also celebrated community investment as Gulf Coast Community Foundation presented grants through its Velkas Children’s Welfare Fund:
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- CASA of South Mississippi – $10,125: Backpacks with school supplies for 135 foster children.
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- Magnolia Medical Foundation – $10,000: Community diaper pantry distributing 30,000 diapers to 175 families.
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- Triumph Church of Gulfport – $10,000: Feeding the Seed program providing meals to children on weekends and school breaks.
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- United Way of South Mississippi – $10,000: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, mailing free monthly books to children from birth to age 5.
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- Additionally, the Stone County Community Endowment Fund awarded its first grant: Blessings in a Backpack – $1,250: Providing weekend food for school-aged children in Stone County.
What’s Next in the Summer Series
The summer series continues with two upcoming General Membership Meetings:
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- July 24: Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Advisory Board – A review of seven years of GCRF appropriations and project outcomes.
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- August 28: Speaker of the House Jason White – Continuing discussions on legislative priorities and investments for economic success.
With approximately $65 million in GCRF available next session, Coastal Mississippi has a unique opportunity to align around strategic priorities that will drive growth, resilience, and quality of life for generations to come.
