This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

in the (NSTL) National Space Technology Laboratories facility. There is considerable acreage dedicated to agricultural pursuits, these include dairying, cattle, poultry, and tree farming. As can be expected in a coastline county, there is local economic importance in a number of commercial fishing ventures located in the Bayou Cadet area, west of the city of Waveland. The Bay, rivers, and bayous of the county results in an excellent drawing card to homeseekers and a lure to lovers of water sports. The mild climate beckons the garden enthusiast for growing season is year-round and camellias and azaleas grow like weeds. Hancock is designated as a Bird Sanctuary because of its great attraction to many beautiful song birds.
Today, Hancock County is in a second era of discovery. The new "settlements" can be found on the Pearl River, where the county's Port and Harbor Commission has created a 2200 acre industrial area and farther upstream a giant government complex, formerly Mississippi Test Facility, now renamed National Space Technology Laboratories, is steadily increasing in activity. Then, across the county, on the shores of the Bay of St. Louis and Jourdan River, much new residential construction has appeared., the most exciting development being the beautiful community of Diamondhead on the north shores of the Bay.
Several motels and restaurants cater to the traveling public as do a number of candy and souvenir shops on U.S. Highway 90, which is an east-west motor route near the coastline. Farther inland, Interstate 10 also contributes as a major east-west route. A hospitality center at the intersection of State 607 and eastbound lane on I-10 provides visitors state and local information. A second hospitality center in Waveland open seven days a week, provides local information.
Shopping centers are located in the two incorporated towns of Waveland and Bay St. Louis and national and regional chain stores are located in both.
Most major denominations are represented by the churches throughout the county. There is an excellent program to assist, and provide entertainment for, the senior citizens. There is countywide ambulance service, a modern 54 bed hospital, health department and clinic, several doctors and dentists, and a veterinarian maintains a small clinic.
The county's four-school system operates busses which reach all parts of the county to afford transportation for young people. There is also a parochial school in the county area in addition to the parochial, private, and public schools in the incorporated areas. A vo-tech school, part of the area's junior college system, is located at the airport. Hancock County is part of the Pearl River Junior College District. The college is located at Poplarville, with daily bus service for Hancock students.
City-County Library, located in Bay St. Louis, is one of the best in south Mississippi and extends its services directly to the far corners of the county by means of a bookmobile.
A county agents office and an office of the Mississippi Forestry Commission provide assistance to landowners. A county fair is held each October at the County Fair Grounds near Waveland.