Keesler JLUS Report keesler_jlus_report | Page 23

Tourism in Biloxi , and for most of the Gulf Coast region , is a large contributor to the economy . The largest tourist draw in Biloxi has been casino gaming . In 2014 , 15.3 million tourists visited casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast , bringing in gross revenue of over $ 1.5 billion . While the casino gaming industry is a draw , the beaches and water recreation have also been highly attractive commodities in Biloxi . In addition , the MGM Park is home to an AA minor‐league baseball team , the Biloxi Shuckers , as well as special events .
Like most coastal cities , Biloxi was impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 . Many developments that were set for construction prior to Katrina were never brought to fruition . One such example was a 26‐story high rise condo tower that was approved right before Katrina struck and was never built afterwards . East Biloxi was particularly affected and the process to rebuild was slow due to floodplain construction constraints and high insurance costs . Since then , Biloxi has had a resurgence in development . The State legislature ’ s approval to build casinos on land , rather than on barges , led the reconstruction efforts in the city .
City of D ’ Iberville The City of D ’ Iberville is growing in commercial industries and local businesses . Presently , its largest industry is retail , employing approximately 20 percent of its workforce and generating almost $ 200 million . The second greatest industry is accommodation and food services .
The city is continuing to grow with many planned developments for the future . One of the most successful developments is the Promenade Shopping Center , which opened in 2009 and consists of 700,000 square feet of commercial space . Additionally , the City is looking to add a new shopping center west of Interstate 110 ( I‐110 ) and south of I‐10 . The shopping center , called Gulf Coast Galleria , is intended to be a contemporary shopping destination on the Gulf Coast and will include a hotel , shopping stores , and a dining and entertainment complex . The city also acquired its first casino , the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort , in late 2015 . The new casino employs 1,200 people . There are plans underway to redevelop the Old Town into a
mixed‐use development called the French Marke the area after the impacts from Hurricane Katrin to the city .
Current Development Overview withi
Land uses throughout the JLUS Study Area range unincorporated Harrison County , to the resident center in the City of Biloxi . This section discusse immediate vicinity of Keesler AFB .
North Keesler AFB is bordered to the north by the Back is an active commercial shipping channel suppor Bayou Bernard . The Back Bay of Biloxi includes b opportunities for recreation , such as boating and base is the Oak Park neighborhood , which is a sin neighborhood . This neighborhood has upscale w docks . On the north side of the Back Bay , which the remaining part of the City of Biloxi , which ex This includes single family and multifamily housi School . Additionally , D ’ Iberville is located north Biloxi . The city extends almost five miles north f Interstate 10 , which runs east to west , is located approximately a mile and a half north of the Bac
East East of Keesler AFB is mainly single family reside the east , are casinos and hotels . This area in Bilo developed , which is evidenced by the new MGM gaming industry is expanding , gaming cannot go United States ( U . S .) Highway 90 continues throu northeast on the Biloxi Bay Bridge into Ocean Sp