The City of Gautier has been awarded $1.3 million in federal funding assistance through the Economic Development Initiative under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding is dedicated to the demolition of the dilapidated Shepard State Park Ranger House and its rebuilding into a critically needed multipurpose community center.
According to a release from the city, the funding will provide a public facility that serves as an open meeting place for local civic organizations or supports various health and wellness activities, something Gautier does not currently have. The restored Shepard State Park Ranger House will be repurposed as the City of Gautier’s sole multipurpose community center allowing for various groups to conduct meetings and activities.
The city says it plans to feature permanent, visual educational amenities to inform guests about the natural beauty of Southern Mississippi, including showcasing the flora and fauna of the surrounding environment.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.