SMPDD https://smpdd.com/ Building a Stronger Mississippi Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.5 http://smpdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-SMPDD_Favicon-01-32x32.png SMPDD https://smpdd.com/ 32 32 $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security http://smpdd.com/commercial-redevelopment-program/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:51:53 +0000 http://smpdd.com/?p=682 $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced it was awarded $5.7 million as part of over $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants. The grants come from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support workforce development in critical sectors, including shipbuilding. Administered through the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will reimburse employers for training in high-demand and emerging industries, addressing critical workforce needs in fields such as welding, marine electrical work, and manufacturing. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said this money will help the state’s shipbuilding industry grow and continue for years to come. “Mississippi plays a vital role in national defense and commercial maritime strength,” Reeves said. “Our state is home to the best shipbuilders on the planet, and we want even more Mississippians to enter this high-paying field.” Leonard Bentz, the Executive Director of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), said the state is proud to be selected to receive the grant. “This grant allows us to scale what works, introduce innovative training strategies, and prepare our people for the industries that are driving economic growth,” Bentz… Continue Reading $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security

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$5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced it was awarded $5.7 million as part of over $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants.

The grants come from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support workforce development in critical sectors, including shipbuilding.

Administered through the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will reimburse employers for training in high-demand and emerging industries, addressing critical workforce needs in fields such as welding, marine electrical work, and manufacturing.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said this money will help the state’s shipbuilding industry grow and continue for years to come.

“Mississippi plays a vital role in national defense and commercial maritime strength,” Reeves said. “Our state is home to the best shipbuilders on the planet, and we want even more Mississippians to enter this high-paying field.”

Leonard Bentz, the Executive Director of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), said the state is proud to be selected to receive the grant.

“This grant allows us to scale what works, introduce innovative training strategies, and prepare our people for the industries that are driving economic growth,” Bentz said.

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]]> Rouses Markets announces plans to open new store in Biloxi http://smpdd.com/rousesmarketbiloxi/ Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:24:07 +0000 http://67.227.188.55/~smpdd/?p=302 Rouses Markets announces plans to open new store in Biloxi BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Friday, Rouses Markets CEO Donny Rouse announced that the company has agreed to lease space on the corner of Pass Road and Popp’s Ferry Road. The 60,000 square feet of space will undergo a comprehensive remodel both inside and outside. “I know Biloxi will be very excited about what we do with the space,” said Rouse. “It will be very different from the old grocery provider that was in that spot, not only in how it looks, but in the products and services offered. We carry everything local, from seafood and local products to entire lines of Gulf Coast made products, not just one or two selections. We will have our own sausage kitchen, smokehouse, bakery, florist and seafood boiling room in the store and everything you could want to eat.” “This is exciting,” said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. “The development is a direct result of our plans to extend Popp’s Ferry to U.S. 90, making the area a major corridor connecting communities east and west and north and south of the bay. This is the perfect example of a public/prive partnership between the City of… Continue Reading Rouses Markets announces plans to open new store in Biloxi

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Rouses Markets announces plans to open new store in Biloxi

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Friday, Rouses Markets CEO Donny Rouse announced that the company has agreed to lease space on the corner of Pass Road and Popp’s Ferry Road.

The 60,000 square feet of space will undergo a comprehensive remodel both inside and outside.

“I know Biloxi will be very excited about what we do with the space,” said Rouse. “It will be very different from the old grocery provider that was in that spot, not only in how it looks, but in the products and services offered. We carry everything local, from seafood and local products to entire lines of Gulf Coast made products, not just one or two selections. We will have our own sausage kitchen, smokehouse, bakery, florist and seafood boiling room in the store and everything you could want to eat.”

“This is exciting,” said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. “The development is a direct result of our plans to extend Popp’s Ferry to U.S. 90, making the area a major corridor connecting communities east and west and north and south of the bay. This is the perfect example of a public/prive partnership between the City of Biloxi, X3 Tango Development, SMPDD and Rouses Markets.”

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