Gulf Blue Initiative Driving Resilience through a Culture of Innovation

Coalition Lead Applicant: The University of Southern Mississippi

Region (applicant-defined): Coastal Mississippi

Cluster Sector(s): Water and Blue Economy

Coalition Overarching Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)

Project Description:
The Gulf Blue Initiative (GBI) coalition, led by the University of Southern Mississippi, aims to drive economic growth through innovation and the knowledge-based blue economy in the coastal Mississippi region. The GBI is focused on an industry-driven approach to grow the region’s blue economy innovation sector and the opportunity to create high-wage jobs in STEM and light manufacturing. The GBI proposes to bring together coalition partners to diversify the local coastal Mississippi economy from primarily tourism to grow the region’s blue economy assets, establish a foundation for workforce development and sustainable job growth promoting higher-wage jobs and inclusion, and build capacity to support a more resilient regional economy.

Finalist Showcase Presentation