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The region's weakness became even more apparent when BP gave $15 million to help local tourism rebound after the spill. Leery of the various factions along the coast, BP chose to give the money to the state. Understandably, this riled local leaders.
The plan is to have the Harrison County Tourism Commission become the regional agency and provide the initial funding from a county hotel tax. It’s vital, meanwhile, that the private sector also contribute money and be represented on the board.
Supervisors along the coast deserve credit for setting aside their doubts and disagreements in order to agree on the need for regional marketing.
The Mississippi Press, Pascagoula