From Ideas to Bricks - Hancock County and FEMA Long Term Community Recovery
Release Date: May 29, 2008
Release Number: 1604-651
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Does a community have a pulse? Decidedly so, according to Hancock County residents. It can be found beating strongly and steadfastly among the resilient and determined citizens. It can be seen vividly amid the concrete slabs now featuring colorful flowers and plants and inside the doors of the now thriving businesses emerging in the downtown areas of Bay St. Louis and Waveland. All areas were once piles of debris following Hurricane Katrina, ground zero from the nation's worst natural disaster.
Hancock County, a coastal community on the western side of the Mississippi Coast only 45 miles from New Orleans, is one of the top small art communities in America. It is home to America's largest rocket engine test complex. And, it is an area where artists peacefully coexist alongside governmental and professional offices; where a person can pick up a few groceries after work or a few drinks at the local watering hole, all contained within a few city blocks. Concerned residents gathered recently to discuss a plan to restore and revitalize their community's heart and soul---the downtown areas of Waveland and Bay St. Louis. Citizens from Hancock County united the two cities with this one common goal.
"This is about community revitalization. It's about rebuilding two downtowns damaged and destroyed by Katrina," said Tish Williams, executive director of the Hancock Community Development Foundation. "Through this program, we will invent a whole new Main Street Program for disaster communities and communities seeking a county-wide approach."
Natacha Vacroux, Long Term Community Recovery (LTCR) Manager for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has provided day-to-day technical assistance to the county's Chamber of Commerce for the past three months.
"Because of Bob (Haywood), Natacha (Vacroux), and help from FEMA, we're able to effectively launch this program. They both bring great technical expertise to the table," said Williams. "Without them, we would not see the Main Street Program moving forward. Their expertise is helping us make what was once a dream, a reality for our citizens."
Vacroux, along with LTCR Section Chief Bob Haywood, serves as a key instrument in helping the county realize their vision of a renewed downtown. Haywood draws upon 26 years of community development experience to offer suggestions on economic revitalization and shifting a project from planning to implementation.
"There's so much to be done we're happy to help," said Vacroux.
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) is also on board to assist Hancock County by helping the community develop its own Main Street Program. Hancock County consists of three local governments: the City of Waveland, the City of Bay St. Louis and Hancock County. For only the
second time in the nearly 20 year history of the MMSA, an entire county has been assigned the Main Street designation.
The Hancock County Main Street Program is an initiative of the Hancock Community Development Foundation, a nonprofit public charity founded by the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce to act as a funding conduit for recovery projects with a broad community focus.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the Mississippi Development Authority allowed MMSA to waive membership fees of the Hancock County Main Street Program for three years, saving the Foundation approximately $17,000. The fees will cover information sessions with committee members and other assistance as needed. A Mississippi Main Street Resource Team will provide technical assistance and follow-up guidance. Their services will be covered by a CDBG grant awarded to the MMSA and specifically for use in Hancock County.
"Bob and Natacha have given us phenomenal help as part of our team," said Kathy Pinn, Co-chair of the Main Street Design Committee and Publicity Chair for the Waveland Community Coalition. "They're both very knowledgeable; Bob's previous experience, having already worked with Main Street programs, provides essential help. Their participation is a great asset to us."
Part of Vacroux's tasks for the past three months have included serving as the county's interim Main Street manager until a full-time manager is hired.
"What we're doing is recreating a sense of community. It's not just about economic development but regaining a sense of identity that these communities felt before Katrina," said Vacroux. "There's a very strong sense of community in Hancock County. It's exciting to work with an organization and a group of people that are so committed."
Typically the community-driven Main Street Program seeks to revitalize existing downtown areas, using a four-point approach that balances historic preservation and community-based economic development. The program functions differently for each main street community but to launch a program following a natural disaster, particularly one on the scale of Katrina, is extraordinary.
The unusual circumstances provide an exciting opportunity for the residents. Parts of the Hancock County Main Street Program will literally work from the ground up. As the residents of these blended neighborhoods will tell anyone, Hancock County is a special place to live, work, visit and raise a family. It is best known for the friendliness of the people who live here and the bevy of home grown local restaurants that feature the best fresh seafood found in this region. One of the greatest assets is the miles of shoreline that feature the man-made beach, drawing residents and visitors alike to enjoy sailing, boating, fishing and a day in the sun.
"It is a program with a proven method for downtown revitalization, tailored to fit the unique needs of specific communities," said Vacroux. "For instance, in neighboring Hattiesburg [Miss.], this city has all of its physical structures intact while Waveland and Bay St. Louis do not, in many places. Both areas seek revitalization but the approaches are different."
So what's the next step with the county's Main Street Program? The MMSA National Resource Team will return to Hancock County in June to help with implementation, committees must be staffed and letters will be mailed to current and potential downtown property owners to gauge interest. The new program leaders refuse to get bogged down in the details.
"That's what's special about Waveland and Bay St. Louis. There's no one thing that's going to get done next," said Pinn.
"We are literally rebuilding a county. Our message to our citizens is pick your passion and put it to work," said Tish Williams. "We have proven time and again that one person can make a difference. Through Main Street, our citizens have a vehicle to get involved and work as a partner with government in the rebuilding process."
If you know anything about the Bay-Waveland area, you know that this is a people who work hard and always make time to enjoy the community and each other. During the third weekend in May, the Hancock Chamber sponsored the second annual Bay Bridge Fest, a family-themed event where neighbors laughed, ate, shared and relaxed. And, where visitors had the chance to shop in the downtown areas and then head to the fest for great music, food and fun and a sneak preview of the brass castings of 16 Coast artists that will soon adorn the Bay Bridge Walking Path. This public art project is the only one of its kind in the country. For a sneak preview of this artwork and more on the area, go to: www.hancockchamber.org.
Bridge Fest marked the second year of the opening of the multimillion dollar Bay Bridge, which connects Harrison and Hancock Counties. During the festival, anyone could bid on Bay Bridge Art pieces donated by local artists to benefit the Hancock Main Street Program.
Hancock County leadership and FEMA LTCR staff are devising new plans to address the housing issues. A Housing Resource Center has been established through the Hancock Community Development Foundation with technical support by FEMA LTCR.
"We're here to help and the help we provide is invaluable. Once we come in and communities see what we have to offer, people don't want us to leave," said Haywood.
Photo Link: www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=35110
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 29-May-2008 14:31:55