A study released by the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) estimates the benefits of restoring Gulf Coast passenger rail services could generate a total economic output of up to $485,924,479 in Mississippi.

With proposed Amtrak service from New Orleans to Mobile on track to begin in 2022 with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Coastal Mississippi is estimated to see an annual tourism spending increase of up to $37,520,300 in Hancock County, $370,551,660 in Harrison County and $33,415,460 in Jackson County. Aspirational scenarios of 1 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent increases in tourism spending were assessed to give decision-makers perspective on how strong the impact on our industry could be.

Additionally, the study estimates the restored Gulf Coast passenger rail service could annually provide over 7,000 new tourism jobs to our three coastal counties.