Developer proposes first casino for Long Beach, MS

In Long Beach, Mississippi, developers have reportedly submitted an application to approve a 12-acre site for a long-awaited casino development.

The Sun Herald newspaper reports that coast developer, James Parrish, along with his company, owns the beachfront property on Hwy 90 at 241 East Beach Blvd that was once the site of the Sav-a-Center grocery store and Kmart, along with the property to the south of the waterline.

According to the newspaper, the developers, who are partnering with Kentucky-based firm, Encompass Develop, Design & Construct, plan to be present when the Mississippi Gaming Commission meets in July to seek approval to build Long Beach’s first casino.

A legal advertisement reportedly positioned in the Sun Herald, communicates that the developer’s proposal is for a 40,000 square foot casino with 1,200 slot machines and 20 gaming tables. Along with the casino, per Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations, the developers will also build a 300-room hotel and a fine dining restaurant.

The initial step of the approval process has already been completed, as Gaming Commission director, Allen Godfrey, said that the developers have submitted an application for site approval.

Parrish reportedly told the Sun Herald that they [the developers] have worked toward securing investors, the beachfront property and site approval, for upwards of two years.

“It’s been a long process,” said Parrish.

In 2016, the Sun Herald reported that Long Beach Harbor Resort LLC made an offer to purchase the Long Beach Yacht Club, which is a private club located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the Long Beach Harbor. The newspaper reported at the time that in May 2016, the company [Long Beach Harbor Resort LLC] was registered with the Secretary of State and listed Parrish as manager.

However, at that time, Michael Cavanaugh, attorney for Long Beach Harbor Resort LLC, reportedly told the newspaper, “There’s nothing to report at this time. It’s all just in discussions.”

The city of Long Beach is in Harrison County and part of the Gulfport–Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area. Biloxi, D’Iberville and Gulfport are three of the cities within Harrison County and are most notably home to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi and Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort and Island View Casino Resort, respectively.