Students Conduct Analysis of MS's Blue Economy

Working professionals in the MSED program, Ashley Edwards, Susie Veglia and Kevin Buckley presented their capstone research project, Mississippi's Blue Economy: An Analysis of Mississippi's Maritime Commerce, to the Marine Technology Society's Gulf Coast Section.

The term "Blue Economy" refers to a wide range of economic activity based on oceans, seas, harbors, ports and coastal zones. The team found that the three Mississippi coastal counties have a workforce of 143,873, and the decipherable maritime industries account for 31,828 of those jobs or 22% of the workforce. However, analysis of existing economic data reveals the additional employment impacted by maritime industries is 51,031 or 35% of the entire coastal workforce. The immediate Mississippi Gulf Coast maritime industry extends beyond the readily-identifiable maritime activities and also includes all coastal tourism industries, including casinos.  

The team recommended that in order to fully realize the potential of Mississippi's maritime economic future, leaders from business, government and academia should consider adopting a common strategy that encourages collaboration, coalition building and ultimately develops synergistic partnerships that will move the state's maritime economy forward into the 21st century.

Read the full report here Mississippi's Blue Economy.pdf