Is Mississippi finally entering its golden era? Yes. (Gulfport, Biloxi: real estate, hotels)

[brickpatio]

I will make a case that Mississippi is, finally, beginning its entry into its new, golden era.

Quietly, with a whisper, not a roar, our beloved Mississippi is beginning its moment in the sun.

How so?

For starters, a small hint came from this week's economic news. A highly sophisticated German company, that was started in 1880, announced that it has placed its U.S. headquarters in Tupelo. They will add some 650 jobs in coming years. It's not just that it's part of the automotive industry or an impressive international company, it's those things plus being chosen as its national headquarters.

It's the quiet message that it sends to the world. Mississippi is cool.

But that's just one small thing. What else?

I think about - dream about - what is happening in Biloxi. Hard Rock just opened its sleek new tower next to the Beau Rivage. Together, these two create a true sense of destination. Each presents with very different personalities but both feel unique and, to borrow a trite yet apt phrase, world-class. All-importantly, they are connected by a walkabout outdoor space filled with thousands of people. Just across the street are several fabulous coastal restaurants and soon-to-be a baseball stadium unique to the nation. When you're there, you are Somewhere.

But there's more. This area is connected to the the east end of Biloxi by a scenic beachfront, especially entrancing at night with the glimmer of the moon off the sugar-white beach and reflections off the calm waters separating the beachfront and mysterious Deer Island just a few hundred years off shore.

On the east end, the blighted construction site of the former Margaritaville casino is now being transformed before our very eyes into a lush green space along the waterfront, with a festive boardwalk connecting the freshly renovated Harrahs Gulf Coast with the brand-new and very elegant Golden Nugget at the corner of Biloxi Bay and the Mississippi Sound.

What was once a giant, blighted construction site, including hotel towers standing empty since Katrina, will now be a lively, landscaped, walkable outdoor space connecting two brand-new and very elegant casino hotels. And these two spaces (Hard Rock/Beau Rivage and Golden Nugget/Harrahs) are a picturesque beachside stroll apart from each other. The point is...this area is evolving into a lovely and lively space and place that is unique to America.

The same thing is happening in Gulfport, with a unique, huge, and lively port and marina adjacent to downtown, with a great public space (Jones Park) for concerts and events, right by the beach. A brand-new casino hotel is being built. And on the other end of this great public space by the port, another casino is being completely renovated, tying together the entire space into a unique destination (hotel casino and beach on one end, Jones Park and festival venue, marina and port in the middle, and casino hotel on the end...all adjacent to a newly renovated downtown).

What else?

Have you driven recently along Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland and Madison, from the Renaissance to the Township and up to Madison? As someone said to me recently, you might as well be in San Diego. Very high-end - and all-importantly - they have only just begun.

Is that all?

There is Oxford which is becoming more popular and sophisticated by the day. It seems that everyone wants to live there.

And Starkville is making its own efforts towards progress.

Aside from the towns and campuses themselves, take a look at those stadiums.

The new Ole Miss basketball arena looks gorgeous and totally state of the art. Mississippi State is opening its new stadium in August, also absolutely plush. And next they have eyes on a brand-new baseball stadium, intended to be the best in America - appropro since Mississippi State has the highest attendance and fan loyalty in America, or nearly so.

So what...

Most importantly, there are rankings for overall business climate, in regard to state policy.

Mississippi is showing up in the top 5 and top 10 in the nation, as a good place to do business in more and more rankings. Toyota, Nissan, Rolls Royce, and GE are only the beginning. Take a look at C-Spire....very, very impressive.

Mississippi's gdp per capita is roughly equal to that of France and the European Union and significantly higher than lovely countries such as Italy and Spain.

If America's economy outpaces that of Europe, and Mississippi continues to close the gap with the U.S. average, then Mississippi within a few years (10 to 20) will pass the likes of Britain and Germany, whose gdp per capita are about 10% higher than Mississippi (presently).

Is Mississippi already in its golden era? Well no, admittedly not just yet. But there Are signs - some very good signs - that indeed Mississippi Is at the very beginnings - of its moment in the sun.

Mississippi has some wonderful assets, starting with its culture - notably diverse yet uniquely unified - in its polite, gracious, humorous, and caring manner.

Compared to some areas of the country, Mississippi is blessedly free or mostly free of traffic, crowding, and high cost of living. It's also mostly free of freezing temperatures.

And now, as state policy begins to give Mississippi a degree of separation from other states as an excellent place for business, those new monies will continue to cultivate the wonderful assets with which Mississippi already blessed, right at the very, very beginnings of its beautiful, new, and Very golden era.

[blktoptrvl]

Sounds good for Mississippi, but "golden era?" I would think that is a judgement of history, not of current analysis.

[Listener2307]

It could happen. Our cost of living and the resultant willingness to work cheaply may bring nationwide or even world wide recognition.
If you think about it that's what happened to less qualified overseas countries. American manufacturers who have to deal with overseas facilities get real tired of it real fast. Just in the furniture business we have seen several move to Mexico and then come back.

The German company believes they can pay Mississippi wages, Mississippi taxes, and still compete worldwide. And that is good news, indeed.

[Seadory]

The above post is lovely, and everyone wants to see Mississippi flourish, however, after having thought about this post for awhile I have certain misgivings about the definition of success. I hope the beauty of this one-of-a-kind state isn't swallowed up by a host of vulgar gambling establishments and infrastructure. More cars, more people. I would not like to see Mississippi turn into Southern California.

Maybe I just worry too much. Indeed, it does sound like an ideal place for American manufacturers. I know a couple of people who are struggling desperately to stay afloat here in CA. Perhaps MS is just the ticket—providing due consideration is given to it's natural beauty. Because from what I've heard from our neighbors, Mississippi is spectacular.

[garxhap]

Nice thread. Sometimes I think City-data is way too full of negativity. May I suggest that someone post some photos of some of the new additions, especially the ones in Biloxi.

[Sarcastro]

These companies are using Mississippi's low cost of living to utilize the vast amount of low skilled laborers, and pay them accordingly.

Mississippi is definitely NOT cool.

[sammyreynolds1977]

Sarcastro is right. Mississippi needs more than gambling which in the past 7 years the casinos are losing on average 20% a year. If Arkansas ever becomes smart and allows full on gambling, they will take a lot of business away from the state. Oklahoma and Illinois are good examples of that. I needs to see a lot more than what you post details to say yes. I say it has potential but it's no where near a golden era.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by Sarcastro

These companies are using Mississippi's low cost of living to utilize the vast amount of low skilled laborers, and pay them accordingly.

Mississippi is definitely NOT cool.

Don't know why anyone would argue with your first statement. Our houses and cost of living are less than the rest of the U.S.; taxes are lower. So paying someone in Mississippi less than what they require in Michigan (to pick a state) is to be expected. And it's working to our benefit. That's why businesses are bailing out of Michigan.

After all, I can live in my paid for 18 year old 3-2-2 ranch for $900 a year. And if someone in New York or Michigan feels superior because I make less than him, well let him. The federal government will get a larger portion of his paycheck than they will mine; he'll have to pay 140$ per square foot for a home; his utilities will be higher, state income tax higher; real estate taxes several thousand dollars a year higher and my well taken care of vehicle has lasted me 24 years!

And after paying my overhead I'll have more of my paycheck left than he will. And besides, I don't live there. I live here - where overhead is low. So who's smarter?

[sammyreynolds1977]

Originally Posted by Listener2307

Don't know why anyone would argue with your first statement. Our houses and cost of living are less than the rest of the U.S.; taxes are lower. So paying someone in Mississippi less than what they require in Michigan (to pick a state) is to be expected. And it's working to our benefit. That's why businesses are bailing out of Michigan.

After all, I can live in my paid for 18 year old 3-2-2 ranch for $900 a year. And if someone in New York or Michigan feels superior because I make less than him, well let him. The federal government will get a larger portion of his paycheck than they will mine; he'll have to pay 140$ per square foot for a home; his utilities will be higher, state income tax higher; real estate taxes several thousand dollars a year higher and my well taken care of vehicle has lasted me 24 years!

And after paying my overhead I'll have more of my paycheck left than he will. And besides, I don't live there. I live here - where overhead is low. So who's smarter?

Going by your posts people would be moving here instead of places like North Carolina and Florida where the cost is of living is much higher in those places thahn here and also have seen a population boom over the past few years. But there not moving here why? Because most people won't more than cheap living. They won't their children to have a good education which they're not going to do so here.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by sammyreynolds1977

Going by your posts people would be moving here instead of places like North Carolina and Florida where the cost is of living is much higher in those places thahn here and also have seen a population boom over the past few years. But there not moving here why? Because most people won't more than cheap living. They won't their children to have a good education which they're not going to do so here.

There haven't been jobs available in Mississippi, so historically there has been no reason to move unless you were particularly attracted to the state. Several people have expressed an interest in moving to Mississippi, and they have been encouraged to nail down a job first.

There is good education available in Mississippi, but not everywhere. Have to be a little careful.

There is also the stigma of living in Mississippi. For many reasons Mississippi remains one of the most maligned states, especially among people who have never been here.

I don't look for much of that to change. I don't think people are suddenly going to start moving to Mississippi in droves. But for those of us that are here, it looks as if things are looking up.