Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College broke ground for a new Hospitality and Resort Management Center at its Jefferson Davis campus — and the project will be historic: it’s the largest construction project in the community college’s history, and it’s the college’s first facility to be built in Biloxi.
“So what took you so long?” Mayor A.J. Holloway quipped during the ground-breaking ceremony this afternoon on a site just east of DeBuys Road, the road that divides Biloxi and Gulfport. The Jeff Davis campus, of course, is on the west side of DeBuys Road, along with the city of Gulfport.
Holloway, in his remarks to college leaders and other officials, thanked the college board and administrators for the investment in such an important industry.
“Biloxi’s niche is hospitality and tourism,” the mayor said. “Your investment here today speaks volumes for the future of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Your investment says that we will have a bright future, and it will be led by the folks who walk through the doors of this new building.”
See for yourself: To see artist’s renderings of the new building, which Holloway previewed during his State of the City address last month,
click here.
Etc.: Speaking of hospitality and education, state and national trade associations say that Pam Rosetti, a teacher at Biloxi High School, is the state’s top culinary arts educator. To read more about Pam and her accomplishments, click here.
News and notes
Insurance: The Biloxi City Council will discuss options in renewing the city’s property and liability insurance in a meeting on Tuesday morning at City Hall, and council will holds its regularly scheduled meeting later that afternoon. To see agendas and available resolutions for both of the public meetings, click here.
Weekend preview: Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart are among the headliners in town this weekend, and you’ll find a motorcycle show at Edgewater Mall. To see the complete lineup of entertainment in and around Biloxi this weekend, click here.
Webcasting: In this week’s City Desk webcast, Mayor A.J. Holloway discusses Mardi Gras, city finances, and something he hasn’t done in a while — riding in a Mardi Gras parade. To listen to the 10-minute program, click here.
Mardi Gras winners: To see the winners from the Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade, click here.
St. Patrick’s parade: The Hibernia Marching Society will stage its parade in downtown Biloxi next weekend, on Saturday, March 19, at 2 p.m.