It may be tricky, but 2010 could be a treat

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Perhaps it was the proximity of Halloween, but the consensus at the quarterly meeting of the Sun Herald’s Business Roundtable last week was that, while it may be tricky, 2010 could be a treat for South Mississippians.

A diverse group of business leaders from across the Coast see a variety of encouraging signs all along the Coast.

P The selling price of houses is beginning to rise modestly, but the rate of unemployment has dropped significantly — both signs of a recovering economy.

P Businesses are expanding and prospects are shifting from the speculative to the spectacular. “I think we’re absolutely a shining star,” said George Freeland, director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.

P Commercial building contracts are soaring, especially in Hancock County. “Coming out of a national recession, it’s good that we still continue to be buoyed by those types of job-creating construction projects, regardless of whether it’s public or private,” said Brian Sanderson, Gulf Coast Business Council president.

P The State Port in Gulfport, the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport and the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center are all expanding in anticipation of unprecedented activity.

P Environmentally, Judy Steckler with the Mississippi Land Trust for Historic Preservation says the group’s conservation holdings could double by year’s end.

All in all, “2010 will be a good, strong comeback year,” said Ray Gonzales with Century 21/Williams & Associates.

Dave Dennis of Specialty Contractors and a former member of the Federal Reserve Board agrees. “I think there’s a good horizon coming up,” he said.

Surely so much optimism cannot be misplaced.

The editorial above represents the views of the Sun Herald editorial board, which consists of President-Publisher Glen Nardi, Vice President and Executive Editor Stan Tiner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Flora S. Point, Opinion Page Editor B. Marie Harris and Associate Editor Tony Biffle.