Announcing the Port of Gulfport Advisory Committees: CAC and TPAC
The Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) is excited to announce the formation of two new Port advisory committees: the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Tenant and Partner Advisory Committee (TPAC). These committees are pivotal in strengthening our relationship with both community and business stakeholders, fostering transparency, and enhancing the Port’s operational efficiency.
Community Advisory Committee
The CAC is designed to serve as a bridge between the MSPA and its near-port community. Its mission is to provide a forum for education, information exchange, and collaborative dialogue while offering an opportunity to provide MSPA leadership with advice and recommendations based on community feedback and insights. The CAC will support the Port in identifying and understanding our community’s perspective, expectations, and concerns.
The CAC is currently comprised of 18 members who reflect a diverse cross-section of the Port community. This includes coastal residents, as well as representatives from community organizations, educational institutions, environmental groups, and the local union. The committee meets every other month and has already convened three times. The inaugural meeting in February provided educational information about the Port and the maritime industry, the second discussed the Port’s 2024 grant strategy and upcoming development plans, and the third meeting included a tour of the terminal.
Tenant and Partner Advisory Committee
The TPAC was established to connect the Port with its business and operational stakeholders, including its terminal tenants. This committee is dedicated to enhancing the Port’s operations, projects, and impacts. Like the CAC, the TPAC provides Port leadership with informal advice and recommendations, helping to identify and understand customer and partner perspectives, expectations, and concerns.
Membership of the TPAC is comprised of key decision-makers from tenant and partner organizations. The TPAC held its inaugural meeting in May, discussing the port’s grant strategy, safety, and other initiatives that might impact port operations. The TPAC will also meet bi-monthly, alternating months with the CAC meetings.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Vision
Together, the CAC and TPAC will play essential roles in advising the MSPA on critical issues, projects, and impacts. The Port envisions members from each committee receiving invitations to attend and present to each other to foster better communication between our tenants, partners, and the larger community. This collaborative input is expected to enhance stakeholder relations and operational efficiency while integrating the needs of our business and government partners with the community’s health and well-being.
The Port of Gulfport is committed to transparency and sustainability, and MSPA leadership believes that the collective expertise and diverse viewpoints of the CAC and TPAC are crucial in guiding the Port toward a future that aligns with the needs, health, and economic vitality of the greater Port community. We look forward to the positive impacts these groups will bring to the Port of Gulfport and our stakeholders.