Hurricanes have heavily influenced the ebb and flow of business in Biloxi. The greater Gulfport/Biloxi economic base continues to recover from the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed much of the region in August of 2005. Congress subsequently created the Gulf Coast Opportunity Zone, or GO Zone, to encourage investment in the area through tax incentives.

Conclusion

As of November of 2008, the City of Biloxi had issued nearly $200 million in construction permits for developments across the city. Though the slowing economy has stalled some planned developments in recent months, progress on others, including some major casino projects, continues along the Biloxi Coast.
The city has successfully erected the economic pillars so mercilessly blown down by Katrina, giving Biloxi hotels a platform on which to stand. The city continues to work to keep the avenues open for business, gaming, and tourism, and so long as these sectors stay afloat in the current economic turbulence, the Biloxi lodging market should emerge all the stronger.