For several weeks now – nine, to be exact – pro football fans have been savoring the New Orleans Saints and their winning streak, and the City of Biloxi has been watching a trend of its own for several months now.
For the first time since 2004, before Hurricane Katrina, the city has had eight months of million-dollar-plus months in sales tax revenue in a single year.
“There are a number of favors contributing to this trend,” said Community Development Director Jerry Creel. “Certainly the improved national economy is a factor, and certainly confidence in what’s happening here in Biloxi. We’ve seen a substantial increase in construction – $28 million ahead of last year at this time, and three-million of that figure is residential. The construction creates temporary and permanent jobs, which means more local spending at local businesses, for equipment, material, and discretionary spending.
“Let’s not forget we had the hugely successful air show earlier this year and a record-breaking Cruisin’ the Coast. It all adds up.”
See the monthly sales tax figures back to 2003
See the major construction permits this year
Biloxi Police to deliver meals on Thanksgiving
Biloxi Police will be delivering 760 meals to the needy on Thanksgiving Day.
The department is once again participating in the Gulf Coast Public Safety Feed the Needy program, a collaboration of local public safety agencies, donors and volunteers, to deliver Thanksgiving meals.
“This is something that we have participated in for more than 28 years,” said Biloxi Police Maj. Harald Windom. “The sheriff’s department takes the lead on cooking. Then we label the bags with a resident’s name and address, and then packet each with a meal.”
On Thursday morning, officers and volunteers will meet at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center on Porter Avenue to sort the meals for pickup and delivery.
The officers and volunteers will then either deliver the prepared meals or have them ready for pick up. Many of the meals will go to the elderly and senior living homes. Windom said this year’s 760 meals are in line with previous year deliveries.
The Biloxi Police Department participates in the program along with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Gulfport Fire Department and the D’Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach and Pass Christian Police departments.
Added Windom: “The deadline to request a Thanksgiving meal has passed but we are taking applications for those who are in need of a Christmas meal.”
Those interested in Christmas meals should contact the BPD’s Community Relations Division at 228-385-3033.
News and notes: Weekly report, boardwalk, CTA, Asgards
The week in review: Last week, the Fire Department answered 148 calls for service, including 104 medical emergencies and zero for fires; the Police Department handled 2,221 calls for service; the Community Development Department issued 49 building permits with a construction valuation of more than $2.5 million; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city. To see the reports covering last week, click here.
The tip of the Point: Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich had a firsthand look at the progress on the boardwalk at Point Cadet. To see the video report, now on the city’s YouTube channel, click here.
CTA schedule change: Coast Transit Authority’s fixed route service will operate on its Sunday schedule on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Normal service will resume Friday. Also, the CTA office will be closed Wednesday at 3 p.m. for the Thanksgiving holiday and will re-open Monday at 8 a.m.
Asgards to the rescue: A crowd of about 150 was expected Sunday for the Parks & Recreation Department-organized Special Needs & Family Thanksgiving Dinner at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Commuity Center. Three-hundred people showed up. And, a scheduling mixup led to the dressing for the meal not being delivered. Riding to the rescue was the Asgard Motorcycle Club, which visited local grocery stores Sunday afternoon, buying up all available boxes of dressing. Thank you, Santa Asgard.
