From the Executive Director: Transportation infrastructure is our strongest competitive advantage

February 1, 2015

I recently came across a quote from Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey that struck a chord with me. Speaking to the Democratic National Convention in 2012, Booker, then mayor of Newark, N.J., stressed the critical importance of continued investment in America's transportation infrastructure. "But we all know - it's common sense - that for an economy built to last we must invest in what will fuel us for generations to come," Booker said. "This is our history - from the Transcontinental Railroad to the Hoover Dam, to the dredging of our ports and building of our most historic bridges - our American ancestors prioritized growth and investment in our nation's infrastructure." In Hancock County, we know that our strongest competitive advantage in economic development is our wealth of transportation infrastructure. Whether it's Stennis International Airport, with one of the longest and widest runways in the State of Mississippi, or Port Bienville with its world-class shortline railroad, docks and barge channels, Hancock County's logistics advantages are key to our economic development success. This month, we feature the Port Bienville Shortline Railroad. The railroad, owned and operated by the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, connects to CSX for Class 1 rail service and HCPHC provides switching and line-haul services to, from and within the Port Bienville Industrial Park. Port Bienville also offers a full array of railrelated services, including railcar loading and unloading, cleaning, weighing, maintenance and railcar repair. HCPHC knows that a well-designed shipping plan is crucial for the success of our tenant industries, and each day our employees partner with those industries to create and carry out their logistics strategies, supported by efficient and reliable transportation operations. 

Our goal is to ensure that raw materials promptly arrive at our industries for processing and finished goods produced in Hancock County reach their customers on time. On behalf of the entire team at the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, we thank you for your continuing efforts to make Hancock County the premier place to do business in South Mississippi. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with you as we take Hancock County to new economic horizons and beyond.