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Subscribe to City LineJuly 10, 2009
From the office of Mayor George Schloegel
On Thursday we celebrated a historic leap forward, not only for the City of Gulfport but for all of Mississippi, when Gov. Haley Barbour dropped the ceremonial first-bucket of dirt at the Port of Gulfport.
The ceremony began the expansion of the port’s western terminal. The project, which will grow the terminal by about 20 acres, is just one phase in a long-term effort to help prepare the port for a future boom in business.
Millions of containers enter the United States every year through terminals in California, but port congestion and labor shortages in recent years have forced cargo ships to wait in long lines at major West Coast ports. Many vessels small enough to fit through the Panama Canal have been diverted into the Gulf of Mexico.
However, by 2015, experts believe a wider Panama Canal will allow next-generation megaships to squeeze into the Gulf, drastically increasing business at Gulf Coast ports.
The long-term expansion plan for the Port of Gulfport spans nearly five decades, and when it is complete, our port could be one of the largest container ports in the nation.
This is an exciting time for our city and our state. What is happening at the port is historic, and the City of Gulfport fully supports the Port Authority in this endeavor.
In other news this week, the City Council held its first meeting of the new term and I want to congratulate each council member on a successful beginning.
The council and I may not always agree on the issues, but all of us have vowed to conduct the people’s business in a professional and efficient manner, and I believe this week was a good start.
Also this week we launched a citywide effort to clean up and remove any and all Katrina evidence that still remains. We have to put the storm behind us, and it is time for all property owners in Gulfport to make a solid effort.
My office is mailing letters to everyone in the city. If you have not yet received one, you will soon.
I want to thank all of you who have made a strong effort to clean and maintain your residence or business. You have helped South Mississippi rebound to show the nation our true grit.
But to those who have been unable to return their properties to a presentable and usable state, we are urging you to take action and remove all aspects of the damage.
My administration is willing to work with you to help formulate your action plan, but we must all act now. It is time to plan your work and to work your plan.
We already have a good city. Now it’s time for us to make it great.
Sincerely,
George Schloegel
Mayor
Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
