Your Life - Special Packages - Guide To Gulf Coast Living

Saturday, Jun. 20, 2009

Gautier looks toward the future

Although it is a young and budding community, the city of Gautier aims to be a first-rate area in South Mississippi.

Currently in the midst of a U.S. 90 revitalization project, Gautier’s city grant coordinator, Michelle Troyer, said it will put the locale on the map.

“Gautier really has a lot going on, such as new people on staff, a comprehensive plan that will give us a guide for 20 to 30 years and a multiuse sidewalk for joggers and walkers,” Troyer said. “We have so much undeveloped land and untouched opportunities, so we are hoping the streetscape concept will put us on the map and be a catalyst for future development.”

City manager Sidney Runnels said for the past several years, they have been thinking outside the box to make Gautier different. Originally from North Mississippi, Runnels chose to come to Gautier because he saw the potential it had as a community for housing and economic development.

“I wanted to be a part of this,” Runnels said.

Not only does Gautier have a top-notch school system, Runnels said, but the city is home to two colleges: The University of Southern Mississippi — Jackson County Center and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College — Jackson County Campus.

“Anytime you have a community college within a community, it provides a spirit of moving forward and new ideas,” he said.

Also, Gautier hosts the annual Mullet Festival where folks can participate in arts and crafts, enjoy live entertainment, eat great cuisine and, of course, the famous mullet toss. In October, Gautier sponsors a family-oriented Fall Festival, which features games, hayrides, food, prizes and a costume contest.

“We had an excellent turnout last year,” Troyer said.

Stacey Ford, a Gautier resident since she was 8 years old, said she’s had many opportunities to move, but opted to stay, because she calls the small, quaint city her home.

“The schools here are great, and it’s not such a tourist area because we are in the center of two major cities, Mobile and Biloxi,” Ford said. “Our community is small enough to be personable with citizens, because as cities grow, it tends to lose its touch.”

Ford also lives in Point Clear subdivision, which has a Property Owners Association. If you decide to pay dues to the neighborhood, homeowners have the luxury of two pools, a tot-size pool, a beach, boat launch and picnic area.

Additionally, the city just completed a $300,000 project for Gautier’s first children’s park on Delapointe Drive. It opens from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is complete with state-of-the-art playground equipment, a pavilion and benches.