The following is an adaptation of a newsletter article we wrote for MCJ summarizing the conclusions from our survey project. The hard data and percentages have been omitted.

North Gulport, MS — An inland container port within 150 feet from the residential neighborhood of North Gulfport has been proposed by the Mississippi Port Authority. Financed with $600 million of Katrina-recovery funds from the federal government, the inland port will store hundreds of containerized shipments currently located at the coastal port. A connector road is being built through North Gulfport to transport and distribute the shipment containers.

Corri, Sara, Barbara, and Jenn, as well as two U of Chicago law students surveyed residents located adjacent to the 120 acre site to gauge the community’s response to the proposed project. In most cases, we were the first to inform residents of the proposed development.

Residents of this low-income, black community, expressed a wide variety of views regarding the expansion. One of the main concerns was that the potential economic benefits to the Gulf Coast would not be realized by the local residents. Instead, a major perception was that the presence of 24 hour truck traffic, railway activity, and diesel emissions would harm their community.

Some residents, especially those still living in their FEMA trailers and dilapidated houses, were upset that the local government would divert $600 million of housing recovery funds. Other residents, including a number of younger residents welcomed the possibility of more job opportunities. Still, many residents were skeptical that the community would benefit from the 1000 new jobs anticipated over the next 10 years as mentioned in the March 21^st “28^th Street Elementary” post. Residents had a similar view regarding promised revenues for local schools and roads. While they voiced the need for more money for schools, they recalled their experience with the casino revenues, in which their community never saw any of the money that was promised.

In order to construct the inland port, 70 acres of wetlands will be paved over. Because the wetlands help absorb rainwater, the community has not suffered as much flooding as other areas along the coast. Although a few residents were concerned that destroying the wetlands would increase their susceptibility to future flooding, many residents were unaware of the significance of wetlands.

The proposed inland port could have a substantial impact on property values in North Gulfport. Most homeowners felt that this 24-hour industrial facility would negatively impact their property values. In addition to increased noise and pollution, there was concern that it would make the neighborhood less safe for children. Specifically, residents voiced concern about increased crime, pest infestation, and fumes from the diesel trucks. They mentioned many of them already suffered from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Finally, while some residents had heard of the inland port project through their church or the news, the vast majority of residents had no knowledge of the Port Authority’s plans. Several residents knew the government had plans to build a road since the government has already begun taking property; however, they did not know that the road was being built to connect to a 120 acre port in the middle of their community.

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