A new economic impact study conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Trent Lott National Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship reveals that Port Pascagoula contributed $18.25 billion in total economic output during Fiscal Year 2024. The port also supported 28,345 jobs and generated $879 million in tax revenue across local, state, and federal levels. Labor income reached nearly $1.88 billion, while value added to the economy—equivalent to GDP—amounted to over $5.2 billion. n nThis marks the first comprehensive assessment of the port’s economic influence in two decades. Bo Ethridge, director of Port Pascagoula, stated that the findings validate the port’s role as a cornerstone of economic strength for Jackson County and the entire state of Mississippi. The collaboration with USM provided a detailed picture of the port’s broad economic footprint. n nOfficials note that ongoing initiatives include expanding infrastructure, diversifying cargo handling, and improving intermodal transportation links. Currently ranked among the top 30 U.S. ports by total tonnage, Port Pascagoula handles approximately 32 million tons of freight annually, maintaining its position as Mississippi’s busiest port. n
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Study reaffirms Port Pascagoula as economic driver for Mississippi, with $18 billion in economic output
For the first time in 20 years, an economic study has been released on Port Pascagoula, and officials at Mississippi’s largest port are pleased with its findings. n n“It’s not secret there has been tremendous growth at Port Pascagoula, and this study reaffirms what we have long known: our port is a driving force for not only Jackson County but for the entire state of Mississippi,” Port Pascagoula director Bo Ethridge said. n nThe study, conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Trent Lott National Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, found that the port drove billions in economic activity, supported thousands of jobs, and generated significant tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2024. n nSpecifically, the total economic output of Port Pascagoula is over $18 billion with over $879 million in tax revenue generated and 28,345 jobs supported. n n“Partnering with the team at USM allowed us to capture the true scale of our economic impact, and these numbers show just how critical Port Pascagoula is to sustaining and strengthening Mississippi’s economy,” Ethridge continued. n nEconomic Impact Category n nFY 2024 Value n nJobs Supported n n28,345 n nLabor Income Generated n n$1,882,395,953 n nValue Added (GDP) n n$5,215,412,643 n nTotal Economic Output n n$18,250,657,563 n nTax Revenue (Local, State, Federal) n n$879,082,476 n nPort Pascagoula will continue to expand existing infrastructure and facilities, diversify cargo operations, and enhance intermodal connectivity, according to officials. It currently ranks nationally in the top 30 ports in the U.S. and No. 1 in Mississippi for total gross tonnage with approximately 32 million tons of cargo handled annually.