By Dom Fimiano
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves visited Long Beach on June 2 to announce that the city is receiving $2.18 million of GOMESA Funds to assist in rebuilding a larger and stronger bulkhead wall around the Long Beach Harbor. This funding is the product of the dedicated service of Representative Richard Bennet, Governor Tate Reeves and a united effort in Jackson working with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR).
In his address, Reeves said that protecting and strengthening the economic interests of the MS Gulf Coast is a responsibility that cannot be overlooked. Building a bigger, stronger bulkhead economically benefits the City of Long Beach as well as the State of Mississippi. Reeves said that investing in strengthening Long Beach Harbor helps to prevent the harbor from experiencing devastating damage after storms and being shut down indefinitely.
Reeves pointed out that it is far less expensive to rebuild bigger and stronger to lessen extensive damage each year after storms. He also noted that the state has a fiduciary responsibility to protect its long-term economic interests. Reeves stated that the state must do better to limit damage after storms and prevent long-term harbor closures.
Reeves noted that Long Beach Harbor residents and businesses must be able to return to the harbor within a reasonable amount of time, and rebuilding bigger and better is a smart and necessary effective method to increase safety, reduce future damage, lessen repair expenses, and to help keep the Long Beach Harbor open for safe business operations.
Mayor Bass thanked Governor Reeves and other State officials for supporting the City of Long Beach. Bass said that it is important for the harbor to return to normal operations, and agreed that rebuilding better is necessary to help reduce future storm damage and maintain consistent harbor operations.
