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Coast's use of GO Zone incentives slower than other areas.

Article Excerpt
Positive effects of GO Zone benefits are happening at a far slower pace in the state's three southernmost counties than elsewhere in Mississippi. That's due to the many obstacles faced by the area that took the brunt of Hurricane Katrina's wrath.

Lifelong Gulfport resident John H. Rice, a partner in the Balch & Bingham law firm, says the area's recovery is personal to him. There are positive recovery signs but not as many as he would like to see.

"The Coast counties are confronted with huge issues shared only in part with counties to the north," he said. "We are really struggling with insurance issues, both business and residential costs of construction availability of materials and labor and the return of normalcy of our residents."

He feels that as time goes by, it will be easier to see where present and future infrastructure and development will take place. "Then, more developers will be confident in going forward with plans and the expenditure of development funds," he said.

John Harral of the Butler Snow law firm's Gulfport office agrees with the significant challenges that remain but thinks the legislation has provided the extra incentives needed to stimulate development on the Coast.

"Hotels, multi-family housing and...

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