Port Bienville Receives $450,000 Site Development Grant

December 27, 2023

KILN, MISS: Today Governor Tate Reeves’s office announced the state of Mississippi is investing $450,000 in a site development grant to Port Bienville and Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (HCPHC). This site development grant will advance the development requirements for Site #1 at Port Bienville.

“Site 1 at Port Bienville consisting of 475 acres continues to serve as a premier site for potential industrial development in South Mississippi.  Current investments to expand rail and water capacity strengthen our position for new industry and this grant will help us identify needs with our wastewater infrastructure for new industry and perform necessary design to permit the wetlands and reduce the timeline for new industry at Port Bienville.” said HCPHC Executive Director Blaine LaFontaine.

Through the site development grant, Port Bienville will receive $450,000 for a wastewater capacity study, pre-engineering to increase wastewater capacity, and engineering and design to permit Site #1 for new industry at Port Bienville.  These site development grant funds are made available through the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

“Last year we brought in a record amount of new economic development, and these grants will help to continue Mississippi’s momentum,” said Governor Reeves in a press release from his office. “These long-term investments are designed to create ideal opportunities where companies will find shovel-ready sites on which to build, grow and expand. This is key to our strategy of bringing more higher-paying jobs to local communities.” 

The funding provided by MDA is to encourage potential businesses to establish their presence in Mississippi by investing in strategic properties. The total funding for projects statewide amounts to $16,859,893.

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The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission was established in 1963 to lead the county’s economic development activities. Stennis International Airport and Port Bienville Industrial Park are home to 30 companies with more than 1,000 employees. For more information visit www.portairspace.com.