Launches Ignition Park and Expands Federal Coastal Mapping Mission
KILN, Miss. — The Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission (HCPHC) marked a major milestone in regional innovation and economic development with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 5 celebrating the completion of a new 11,500-square-foot office facility at Stennis International Airport, the successful completion of Phase 1 of its emerging technology park—now officially named Ignition Park—and the expansion of a nationally significant federal coastal mapping partnership.
Backed by more than $11.5 million in strategic investment, the projects were funded through the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund program ($4 million), the RESTORE program ($4 million) and the Select Site Grant Fund ($3 million). The funding supported construction of the new facility as well as infrastructure improvements that will enable future Phases 2 and 3 of Ignition Park. Together, these investments underscore Hancock County’s long-term commitment to advancing high-tech industry, strengthening coastal resilience and building world-class scientific and technology infrastructure along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together federal, state and military leaders, including:
- Blaine LaFontaine, Executive Director, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
- Governor Tate Reeves, State of Mississippi
- Chris Wells, Director, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
- The Honorable Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
- Rear Adm. Erin Acosta, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
- Rear Adm. Benjamin K. Evans, Director, Office of Coast Survey, NOAA National Ocean Service
- Dr. Michael Tischler, Acting Associate Director, Core Science Systems, U.S. Geological Survey
I-ATLAS Expands National Coastal Mapping and Surveying Mission
As part of the event, the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX)—now transitioning to its new name, I-ATLAS (Interagency Airborne Technologies for Lidar, Analysis, and Surveying)—signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) renewing and expanding its 26-year interagency partnership.
Originally formed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Naval Oceanographic Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the organization has long served as the nation’s leader in airborne lidar bathymetry, near-shore topography, coastal mapping and nautical charting technologies.
Under the expanded I-ATLAS partnership, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) formally join the collaboration. The expanded interagency framework will further enhance the efficiency, quality and mission impact of national coastal and riverine mapping, surveying and data analysis. These efforts directly support federal priorities including navigation safety, environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness, national security and scientific research.
Ignition Park Positions Hancock County as a Technology Hub
The ribbon cutting also marked the official completion of Phase 1 of Ignition Park, HCPHC’s new technology park designed to support federal agencies, research institutions and high-tech tenants. Recent grant-funded infrastructure upgrades have positioned the site for Phases 2 and 3, creating a pipeline for additional scientific, defense and technology-focused organizations.
The name Ignition Park reflects Hancock County’s vision to spark innovation, ignite economic opportunity and launch new capabilities across the region.
“This ribbon-cutting marks far more than the opening of a new facility—it represents a major step forward in positioning Hancock County as a center of innovation and scientific excellence,” said Blaine LaFontaine, Executive Director of the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission. “We are proud to support the cutting-edge coastal mapping and research conducted by I-ATLAS and its federal partners, whose work strengthens resilience and informs critical national decisions. With the launch of Ignition Park and completion of Phase 1, we are laying the foundation for new opportunities, high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for our community and the State of Mississippi.”
About Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
As Hancock County’s economic development authority, the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission is dedicated to fostering business investment and job creation. The organization focuses on attracting manufacturing, defense, aviation and aerospace-related projects while managing Stennis International Airport and Port Bienville Industrial Park. HCPHC also supports Stennis Space Center, NASA’s premier facility for rocket engine testing and a cornerstone of the region’s innovation ecosystem.
