Port at Gulfport

Throughout this year, the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program has progressed from a conceptual plan to the design and engineering phase. Milestones have ranged from completing emergency dredging of the Gulfport Federal Navigation Channel to restore it to its pre-Katrina depth to receiving a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) following a review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; having the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) release the first request of Community Development Block Grant funds; and developing a minority participation plan.

The Port also received a notice to proceed for the West Pier fill project and began that project in July. As of December, more than 500,000 cubic yards of sand have been brought in to the West Pier.

The procurement process began in March and four rounds of procurement have been issued this year for construction, engineering and restoration tasks, with the majority of the contracts awarded to Mississippi companies. Most of these tasks are already underway, although the last four on the list below are currently in the contract negotiation process.

Aerial Survey and Mapping – Williams Stackhouse
General Engineering Services – Neel Schaffer, Inc.
Utility and Underground Surveying – Mississippi Engineering Group
Geotechnical Site Investigation and Engineering – Thompson Engineering
Construction Management Services – Yates Anderson Construction Manager
Construction Material Testing Services – Quality Engineering Services, Inc.
Environmental Services – Volkert, Inc.
Coastal Design and Engineering – Michael Baker, Inc.
Financial Services – KPMG
Dredging Design and Services – Anchor QEA
General Utility Engineering – CDM

Plans for 2010 include releasing another procurement opportunity in early January and beginning the environmental permit application process. The Port will also adapt its conceptual plan as its consultants render their findings on the contracted engineering and design services.

Momentum for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program continues to increase as more and more organizations have demonstrated their backing by issuing resolutions or letters of support. Copies of these documents are available for download on portofthefuture.com in the “Download” section of the website. The list includes:

American Public Works Association, Mississippi Chapter
Area Development Partnership
City of Gulfport
City of Wiggins
Coast Young Professionals
Gulf Coast Business Council
Gulfport Business Club
Gulfport Chamber of Commerce
Gulfport Main Street Association
Harrison County Board of Supervisors
Harrison County Development Commission
International Longshoremen Association, AFL-CIO, Local # 1303
Mississippi Economic Development Council
Mississippi Enterprise for Technology
Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi Main Street Association
Mississippi Manufacturers Association
Mississippi Secretary of State
Mississippi State Senate
Mississippi State University
Orange Grove/Lyman Chamber of Commerce
Ports America
Stone County Board of Supervisors
Stone County Economic Development Partnership
University of Southern Mississippi
WLOX

Nick Foto of Gulfport has joined the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) at Gulfport’s Disaster Recovery Division as Finance Manager.

A Mississippi Gulf Coast native, Foto has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis from the University of Southern Mississippi. Foto’s professional experience includes 15 years managing medical operations, with responsibilities in accounting, human resources and construction management.

“Nick has an extensive background of financial experience,” said Joe Conn, Director of Disaster Recovery for the Mississippi State Port Authority. “That coupled with his operations knowledge will ensure our disaster recovery efforts are handled in an efficient, fiscally responsible manner.”

The opportunity for new challenges coupled with changes in the health care industry led Foto to his new role with MSPA Disaster Recovery.

Foto tells a story from his youth about how he and a friend would get up before sunrise, ride their bikes to the port, and fish off of the east pier. He claims that some of the biggest trout he’s ever landed were caught around the port docks. “It’s great to grow up here and now help rebuild something that has been such a large part of the Coast, not to mention a source of some really good memories,” said Foto.

In addition to his new job responsibilities, Foto is an avid outdoorsman and athlete – enjoying fishing, golf, biking and running. One day before his 46th birthday in January of this year, Foto successfully completed his first marathon.

After its October meeting, the MSPA Board of Commissioners appointed a committee to research options for the return of commercial fishing vessels to Gulfport. The committee presented their findings at the Board’s November meeting. That report, along with other research, is available on the home page of portofthefuture.com.

Commissioner Frank Wilem, who chaired the committee, said, “We’ll continue our discussions with members of the shrimping community and local officials in an effort to find the solution that best benefits everyone involved – shrimpers, the Port and the community.”

Since July when the MSPA commemorated the beginning of its 60-acre fill construction project, 520,520 cubic yards of sand have been delivered to the Port’s West Pier.

2009 Progress for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program

Support Grows for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program

Nick Foto Named Finance Manager for MSPA Disaster Recovery

Update on Shrimpers

Construction Progress Report


2009 Progress for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program Throughout this year, the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program has progressed from a conceptual plan to the design and engineering phase. Milestones have ranged from completing emergency dredging of the Gulfport Federal Navigation Channel to restore it to its pre-Katrina depth to receiving a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) following a review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; having the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) release the first request of Community Development Block Grant funds; and developing a minority participation plan. The Port also received a notice to proceed for the West Pier fill project and began that project in July. As of December, more than 500,000 cubic yards of sand have been brought in to the West Pier. The procurement process began in March and four rounds of procurement have been issued this year for construction, engineering and restoration tasks, with the majority of the contracts awarded to Mississippi companies. Most of these tasks are already underway, although the last four on the list below are currently in the contract negotiation process. Aerial Survey and Mapping – Williams Stackhouse General Engineering Services – Neel Schaffer, Inc. Utility and Underground Surveying – Mississippi Engineering Group Geotechnical Site Investigation and Engineering – Thompson Engineering Construction Management Services – Yates Anderson Construction Manager Construction Material Testing Services – Quality Engineering Services, Inc. Environmental Services – Volkert, Inc. Coastal Design and Engineering – Michael Baker, Inc. Financial Services – KPMG Dredging Design and Services – Anchor QEA General Utility Engineering – CDM Plans for 2010 include releasing another procurement opportunity in early January and beginning the environmental permit application process. The Port will also adapt its conceptual plan as its consultants render their findings on the contracted engineering and design services. Support Grows for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program Momentum for the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program continues to increase as more and more organizations have demonstrated their backing by issuing resolutions or letters of support. Copies of these documents are available for download on portofthefuture.com in the “Download” section of the website. The list includes: American Public Works Association, Mississippi Chapter Area Development Partnership City of Gulfport City of Wiggins Coast Young Professionals Gulf Coast Business Council Gulfport Business Club Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Gulfport Main Street Association Harrison County Board of Supervisors Harrison County Development Commission International Longshoremen Association, AFL-CIO, Local # 1303 Mississippi Economic Development Council Mississippi Enterprise for Technology Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Mississippi House of Representatives Mississippi Main Street Association Mississippi Manufacturers Association Mississippi Secretary of State Mississippi State Senate Mississippi State University Orange Grove/Lyman Chamber of Commerce Ports America Stone County Board of Supervisors Stone County Economic Development Partnership University of Southern Mississippi WLOX Nick Foto Named Finance Manager for MSPA Disaster Recovery Nick Foto of Gulfport has joined the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) at Gulfport’s Disaster Recovery Division as Finance Manager. A Mississippi Gulf Coast native, Foto has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis from the University of Southern Mississippi. Foto’s professional experience includes 15 years managing medical operations, with responsibilities in accounting, human resources and construction management. “Nick has an extensive background of financial experience,” said Joe Conn, Director of Disaster Recovery for the Mississippi State Port Authority. “That coupled with his operations knowledge will ensure our disaster recovery efforts are handled in an efficient, fiscally responsible manner.” The opportunity for new challenges coupled with changes in the health care industry led Foto to his new role with MSPA Disaster Recovery. Foto tells a story from his youth about how he and a friend would get up before sunrise, ride their bikes to the port, and fish off of the east pier. He claims that some of the biggest trout he’s ever landed were caught around the port docks. “It’s great to grow up here and now help rebuild something that has been such a large part of the Coast, not to mention a source of some really good memories,” said Foto. In addition to his new job responsibilities, Foto is an avid outdoorsman and athlete – enjoying fishing, golf, biking and running. One day before his 46th birthday in January of this year, Foto successfully completed his first marathon. Update on Shrimpers After its October meeting, the MSPA Board of Commissioners appointed a committee to research options for the return of commercial fishing vessels to Gulfport. The committee presented their findings at the Board’s November meeting. That report, along with other research, is available on the home page of portofthefuture.com. Commissioner Frank Wilem, who chaired the committee, said, “We’ll continue our discussions with members of the shrimping community and local officials in an effort to find the solution that best benefits everyone involved – shrimpers, the Port and the community.” Construction Progress Report Since July when the MSPA commemorated the beginning of its 60-acre fill construction project, 520,520 cubic yards of sand have been delivered to the Port’s West Pier.	Home Send Us Your Thoughts Request a Speaker Facts About Revitalization FAQs