The Garden, publicly launched in November of 2008, is a commercialization initiative of The University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation. It is this focus that sets The Garden apart from typical research parks. Research on its own is a worthy pursuit, but it is the actualization of such research – bringing knowledge full circle and into the marketplace – that transforms industries and economies alike.
The Garden seeks to create, capture and commercialize the knowledge and expertise of University research, including the world-renowned polymer science and engineering breakthroughs at The University of Southern Mississippi. It indeed is the connector; hunting the daring visionaries of our time and helping them cross the boundary of thought and make the leap into action.
Long-term plans for The Garden include a Town Center, which will potentially contain retail, event space, a gym, day care facility, and/or park management facilities/services. Ample open space will provide park and regional residents opportunity to enjoy the landscape.
Future expansion
The mission of The Garden is to develop business and product commercialization infrastructure for regional innovation-based economic development by building world-class technology-based firms that provide leading-edge knowledge base and jobs to the region.
Below is an image of the master development plan for The Garden. The Accelerator is the first building constructed in The Garden, opening in November 2009 and illustrated in yellow below. Blue buildings are proposed commercial development opportunities.
The Garden Profile
LOCATION |
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| Site Name | The Garden |
| Street address | 46 Shelby Thames Drive |
| City | Hattiesburg |
| State, ZIP | Mississippi, 39402 |
CHARACTERISTICS |
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| Total acres | 500+ |
| Topography / Slope | Gently rolling |
| Portion subject to flooding | None |
| Zoning classifications | Not subject to zoning |
| Fire insurance rating class | Class 4 |
WATER |
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| Service provider | Arnold Line Water Association, and City of Hattiesburg |
SEWER |
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| Service provider | City of Hattiesburg |
| Distance to sanitary sewer service | On-site |
GAS |
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| Service provider | Wilmut Oil & Gas |
| Capacity available | Demand will be met |
ELECTRICITY |
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| Service provider | Mississippi Power Company |
| Capacity available | Demand will be met |
TELEPHONE |
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| Service provider | AT&T |
TRANSPORTATION |
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| Type of roadway adjacent | 3-lane road |
| Miles to nearest interstate | 1 mile |
| Name of interstate | Interstate 59 |
| Miles to nearest 4-lane highways | 1 mile |
| Name of highways | U.S. Highway 49 and U.S. Highway 98 |
| Miles to nearest commercial airport | 11 miles |
| Name of airport | Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport |
| Miles to nearest general aviation airport | 5 miles |
| Name of airport | Bobby Chain Municipal Airport |
| Miles to nearest deepwater port | 75 miles |
| Name of port | Mississippi State Port, located in Gulfport, MS |
| Depth (min) and Width (min) of port | 36 feet, 225 feet |