BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) -There are nearly 25 million travelers who visit Mississippi each year.

In 2022, more than $7 billion dollars were spent in communities across the state. Of that total, Coastal Mississippi brings in about $2.7 billion dollars. It’s about 30% of the state’s income from tourism.

“Visitors import new dollars that you don’t get otherwise so that’s why it makes a difference for local economies. It generates $7.9 million dollars in tax revenue,” Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi said.

During National Travel and Tourism Week, Young said Coastal Mississippi will highlight different streams of tourist locations.

“Every day, we’ll be showcasing a different type of visitation through the state co-op that we do. One day will be sports tourism. One day will be fishing, outdoor eco-tourism, Ship Island, Aquarium, IMMS. Then another one with be sports tourism,” Young said.

In 2022, there were close to 28,000 employees working in tourism-driven occupations.

While the numbers for 2023-2024 aren’t finalized, Young notes it’s pulling in the right direction.

“There’s quite a few new hotel properties and that wasn’t estimated to start happening until 2025,” Young said. “We are ahead of the curve there with developments in Pascagoula and developments with the Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis area.”

She also added that an agricultural center will be breaking ground in Hancock County.

Young’s overall message is “Tourism works for you.”

For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week, visit Coastal Mississippi’s website.

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An award that celebrates voluntary conservation efforts on farms, ranches, and forestland is coming to Mississippi.

The Leopold Conservation Award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who have gone above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats growing land. The award, which is named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement.

The honor is currently given out in 28 states with $10,000 going to each winner. Mississippi’s version of the Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the support of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, American Farmland Trust, Farm Families of Mississippi, Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Sand County Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.

“Mississippi farmers and ranchers have always been great stewards of this state’s natural resources,” Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick said. “This land and water are how our membership makes their living and provides the food, clothing, and shelter for Mississippi and beyond. We are proud to stand with these organizations to recognize farmers in our state who are going above and beyond to protect the resources for the next generation.”

Nominations for the Mississippi Leopold Conservation Award are now open until July 30, 2024. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org with the winner receiving the cash prize plus having their conservation success story featured in a national video.

The University of Mississippi has purchased the former home of Dickie and Dianne Scruggs.

Located on Faulkner Woods Place, the 10,176-square-foot home sits on about 9 acres of property on the campus’s border.

The university purchased the home and the surrounding acreage for $10 million. A recent appraisal showed the property being worth more than $17 million.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approved the purchase and naming of the home, “The Scruggs Home at Ole Miss” during its April meeting.

“This property offers a rare opportunity to acquire nearly 10 acres bordering our campus and the grounds of Rowan Oak,” said Jacob Batte, director of News & Media Relations for the university. “The opportunity became even more attractive when the Scruggs agreed to sell the home to the university for 60 percent of the appraised value, which yielded an in-kind donation of almost $8 million to the university.”

Batte said how the house and property will be used by the university still “remains to be determined.”

According to the information submitted by Ole Miss to the IHL, the university is interested in acquiring properties that support strategic growth – considering factors such as contiguous locations, strategic/mission aligned value, expansion capability, affordability and fit for future use.”

“This property is valuable to the university in that real estate near the campus is in high demand, low in supply, and is generally priced in accordance with such appealing attributes,” the written request to the IHL stated.

Rendering of the proposed new parking garage on campus. Image provided

During the meeting, the IHL also approved the exterior design for a new 1,331-space parking garage on campus.

The garage will be located immediately west of the existing North Parking Garage to service an additional 985 beds being built in three new residential units where the former Kincannon dormitory was located before it was demolished last year.

The new garage has a $50 million budget.

Both requests were part of the consent agenda during the meeting so there was no discussion on either and the entire consent agenda was approved unanimously.