Mission Statement

Pascagoula Main Street is a volunteer based publicly and privately supported organization whose goal is to promote, enhance, revitalize, and preserve the main street district by focusing on business development, quality of life, and responsible civic investment for the betterment of all of Pascagoula’s citizens.

History

With the partnership of the statewide Mississippi Main Street Association, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority, Pascagoula Main Street Program was established in 2000.

All the excitement in our Pascagoula Main Street program began in January 2003 when a 30 year old canopy that encased the downtown was removed.  Within just a short time there were a lot of changes for the better and an outpouring of community support.

Although the Pascagoula Main Street Program works to benefit the entire city, there is a Main Street boundary, which defines “Downtown”, an area much larger than what we are accustomed to.  Bordered by Hwy 90 to the North, Market Street to the East, Ingalls Avenue to the South and the Pascagoula River to the West; Downtown encompasses a vast amount of businesses and a great potential for future revitalization of existing properties.

Main Street Approach

The principle method of achieving the goals of Pascagoula Main Street is through the implementation of the “Four Points Strategy”. This strategy is utilized throughout the United States as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Consistency of this strategy has proven successful in many Main Street Communities. The four-point approach is as follows:

• Organization – The organizational elements bring together the public sector, private groups and individual citizens with coordination by a paid program manager to work more effectively in the downtown and surrounding areas.

• Promotion – By promoting the downtown district in a positive manner, a community can begin to focus on the downtown area as a source of pride, social activity and economic development potential. This involves enhancing the image and changing attitudes.

• Design – By utilizing appropriate design concepts and preserving the historical integrity of the downtown area, the visual quality of the downtown buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping and environment is enhanced. The appearance of a community is crucial to its marketability.

• Economic Restructuring – This element involves assessing and strengthening economic assets in the downtown business community. Main Street enhances customer attraction by developing ways to upgrade and expand existing businesses and creating an environment that will attract new ones to strengthen the mix.

Pascagoula Main Street-”check us out”

Today, Pascagoula Main Street is an award-winning program with many initiatives. The life of the Main Street Program comes from volunteers and citizens that want their community to be the best.  Some of the events that Pascagoula Main Street promotes include The Downtown Easter Parade, Trunk ‘R Treat, Downtown for the Holidays, The Christmas Parade, The Live Oaks Arts Festival, Children’s Mardi Gras Parade, and the Krebs Historic Cemetery Tour.

There is a lot happening is our great city of Pascagoula and there is a lot to be done by us and by you. Stroll through Main Street, enjoy the freshness, and invest in your community.  Pascagoula Main Street, it’s for all of us!

Pascagoula Central Business District Tax Abatement was established to promote private investment and economic growth within the City of Pascagoula.  The exemption will allow for up to an 80% reduction of municipal ad valorem taxes (excluding School Taxes) for businesses including new structures, and improvements to existing structures.  Below are some key points to see if your business may qualify for tax exemptions for the Central Business District.

• Is the business “new”?  This includes remodeling, or improving an existing structure to begin a new business venture or constructing a business on raw land.
• Is the investment in your business at least $50,000.00?  This includes costs of renovations or construction.
• Will your business be located within the boundaries of the Central Business District?  There is a map and legal description provided.  City staff will be able to help you make this determination.

For more information please download our pdf of Central Business District Tax Abatement Information And to apply please download Tax Abatement Application

Contact Us

Pascagoula Main Street Association

504 Yon Street

Pascagoula, MS  39567

Phone: 228-938-6604

Fax: 228-372-6854

Staff

Rebecca Davis, Director

Phone: 228-938-6604

Email: rdavis@cityofpascagoula.com

LaLinda Grace

Phone: 228-938-2352

Email: lgrace@cityofpascagoula.com