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CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES ON A $150 million pigment plant, being erected by E.I. duPont near Bay St. Louis, iJVliss., TbOj»w plant is located on the northeastern rim of
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— Staff Photo by Larry Ciko the Bay of St. Louis and will employ about 550 workers with a $9 million annual payroll. It is expected to boost the economies of Harrison, Hancock and Pearl River counties.
"Approximately 30 per cent of the Navy oceanographic people arc mov ing into Picayune,” says Thigpen, who also expects that many present ami future Picayune residents will earn their livelihoods at the ammo plant.
“Outside people arc investing in real estate here” he says.
The mayor proudly points to the fact that his city is in sound financial shape. It owes no general obligation bonds.
A number of capital improvements projects to be completed substantially in 1978 include construction of a $500,-
000	city jail and related improvements in the area, and the widening of East Canal Street from U.S. 11 to Mississippi 43.
The city council has authorized a $60,000 study to determine drainage problems. There’s also an area sewerage study under way.
Thigpen feels Picayune can expand in an orderly fashion with a minimum of growing pains because of action taken by the council when the rocket-testing facility was first built.
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