Harrison County, part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and comprising the Gulfport-Biloxi MSA, enjoys elected officials that began an initiative to diversify industry in the Gulf Coast Region during Hurricane Katrina Recovery through the and of the first decade of the 21st century and into the second. The official joined with planners and funders as well as community based organizations in order to target five industries that include:

• Shipbuilding,
• Geospatial Industry,
• Aerospace Industry,
• Advanced Materials ("Smart" Materials),
• Marine Science

Tourism was another industry sector considered and targeted, the elected officials finding that for each 1 job created in the Tourism Industry, 5 additional indirectly related jobs were also formed. For every $1.00 spent in tourism, $5 were spent in the related industries. In addition, aging American residents wit disposable income have begun staying in the area on vacations for an increased number of days per year. And while overall travel through Gulfport-Bilox has steadily increased, a full 60% of this travel has been for business purposes, indicating additional economic and business strength and potential growth.

Finally, Construction and Related industriesbegan to growth during the Katrina Recovery Program. Healthcare and Medical careers were in high demand before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and became more highly in demand afterward. Harrison County elected officials chose as their Slogans: We have it all—the Mississippi Gulf Coast. and Relax - It's the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Gulf Coast Business Council offers ways of connecting private and public entities for cooperation in Education & Training as well as creating new jobs. This has increased enrollments in local post-secondary institutions.

THE MISSISSIPPI SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM GRANTS

Grants for developing jobs in Southern Mississippi:

• Tom Strange, University of Southern Mississippi - Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co, Stennis Space Center
• David Ford, University of Southern Mississippi - Radiance, Inc., Stennis Space Center
• Debra Matthews, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Faculty - Stennis Space Center

Healthcare and Medical Practitioners comprise a high demand occupational field that is growing by nearly 30% overall through at the very least, 2014 and then surge even higher. With the Millenial Generation (born from ~ 1980 - 2000) being nearly as large as the Baby Boomers, health professionals will be in hIgh demand until at least 2100 AD.

The fastest growing occupations in this category are:

1. General Pediatricians (50% growth)
2. Registerd Nurses (RNs)
3. Verterinary Technicians
4. Dental Hygienists
5. Pharmacy Technicians
6. Pharmacists
7. Medical Records and Information Technicians
8. Physical Therapists
9. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
10. Surgeons (near 30% growth)

Pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists, and LPNs require shorter periods of training that the other occupations, and an RN need not be a BS or BA, but a shorter term program in a hospital where one worlks and can receive tuition reimbursement as well. Medical reocrds tech have a range of educational levels as well.

The Top 15-25 Jobs in this MSA's Hospitality and Tourism Industry through at least 2025 include the following seven major categories:

• Cashiers - dining and retail.
• Resaurant Managers - all levels, more numerous in Biloxi part of the MSA than the Gulport sector.
• Waitstaff - waiters and waitress in casual to fine dining facilties.
• Food Preparation - Hotels, cruise & excursion ships, and restaurants from fast food and pizza shops, to fine dining.
• Tavern and Bar Staff
• Hosts and Cashiers, Attendants, Survielllance, First Responders
• Hotel Staff - seasonal and permanent room attendants, security, managers, concierges, etc.

Medical Tourism

Not only do medical and health professionals benefit from becoming Travelers in their occupations, but tourists also travel in order to undergo medical procedures, combining their treatment with vacations. This treatment canbe as varied as cosmetic surgery to substance rehabilitation to organ transplant surgery and other procedures. Medical Tourism boosts both Healthcare/Medical and Hospitality/Tourism to grow this MSA's economy.

Colleges and Universities

• Madison University – Distance Learning Available
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: Jefferson Davis Campus
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: Seabee Base
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: West Harrison County Center
• Rhodes Colleges
• Rhodes Corinthian Colleges
• University of Southern Mississippi - several colleges, including Culinary Arts Academy and Aerospace Studies.
• Virginia College - Gulf Coast: Biloxi – Health and Medical, Computer Technology criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Office Management
• William Carey College

Vocational Schools

• Blue Cliff College - Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Criminal Justice
• Chris Beauty College Inc
• Commercial Driver Institute Inc

• Biloxi Nation. The name of a Gulf Cost city,the original name for themselves in Biloxi indigenous language is Taneks-anya or first people. It was called by other language speakers, Anaxis and Annocchyand gradually was mispronouned into Biloxi. They are related to the great Sioux Nation that was forced back to the American West after having migrated fomr the West Coast 1000s of years ago.
• Capinans Nation. These people are related to the Biloxi Nation and to the Pascagoula Nation, both also relatives of the Sioux.
• Moctobi Nation. This name has been used by English speakers since 1699 for a group or nation living around or even with the Biloxi Nation and the Pascagoula Nation. They are likely also descendants of the Sioux that were moved westward on a forced march.
• Pascagoula Nation. Also the name of a city in this MSA on the Gulf Coast, the name means bread people and so, must relate to their making of specialty breads that are available at Pow Wow along with native cook books of high quality.They are also known as the Mfskigula, a Biloxi Indian name. Likely are Muskhogeans closely related to the Siouan Biloxi.

Native Americans in Southern Mississippi have helped to improve and grow the local economy with Native-owned businesses, Pow Wows that add considerably to Hospitality and Tourism, partnerships with university study and research programs, and new business development post-Katrina.

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