A $140 million dollar development is coming to the coast. The project is expected to see completion in 2020, or 2021.
“At a proposed $140 million investment, including hundreds of new jobs, the leasing of State-owned tidelands properties for Margaritaville – Phase II is excellent news for Biloxi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the State,” said Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “This development should produce millions of dollars for the Tidelands Fund — all of which is spent on the Coast. The project will be another great reason for citizens all over the State and visitors to spend one more day on our Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
Officials from Biloxi Lodging, LLC, and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann along with Governor Phil Bryant and various state and local officials announced the full plan for a private development Tuesday.
“We are looking to bring some of the newest outdoor attractions and try to expand on the family demographic,” said Cono Carana with Margaritaville. “After Katrina, everything that was family friendly on the coast never came back and when we opened Margaritaville two years ago, it allowed those families to return to the coast.”
Carana said Phase II of Margaritaville will take anywhere from 2-3 years to be completed and that they will be adding an additional 600 jobs to the 700 jobs that they currently have.
“We’re just excited about expanding this property and building on tourism on the gulf coast and bringing something that everyone here will be proud to have,” Carana said.
Vincent Creel with the City of Biloxi added that they are excited about the new development, saying that it will bring more families to the Coast.
“A lot of people think of casinos when they come down to the Gulf Coast, but we want them to remember that we are about family entertainment,” Creel said. “With the beaches, the islands, and the great seafood restaurants this will be another great attraction that will help make their stay that much greater. When you come down to the Gulf Coast, one of the big things that you are going to see down in East Biloxi on the waterfront is a huge Ferris wheel when this project is completed.”
