The economic development programs have been essential to rebuilding Mississippi’s economy. These programs were established to provide infrastructure to support economic development in the affected communities. Each program, with the exception of the Tourism Program, focused on creating or retaining jobs in areas that suffered damage from the storm as well as areas that received an influx of new residents due to the relocation of displaced individuals after the storm. Many of the businesses that are benefiting from these projects have also made a significant investment in these projects which shows their commitment to helping the coast rebuild.