Organizers said in a Facebook post that the Gulf Coast has grown into a $30 billion blue economy, making it one of the strongest in the nation and giving the region the third-highest concentration of related jobs.
The post noted the figures while highlighting a recent Gulf Blue Navigator Demo Day at the University of Southern Mississippi, where organizers spent time with several companies described as among the country’s most innovative in ocean- and coastal-related fields.
The “blue economy” generally refers to industries that rely on oceans, coasts and waterways, including fisheries, maritime transport, tourism, marine technology and coastal research. Economic activity tied to these industries can be a major source of employment and investment in coastal communities.
Demo days and similar events typically give startups and research teams a chance to showcase technology, attract partners and seek investment, and universities often play a central role in fostering such innovation. Organizers and university officials did not provide additional details in the post.
Given limited publicly available information, we will provide more information as it becomes available.
