CAT ISLAND, Miss. — You now have an island, but you have to share. About 40 percent of Cat Island off the gulf coast has been purchased by the state of Mississippi to be set aside for public use. Secretary of State, Delbert Hoseman made that announcement Thursday alongside members of the Coast legislative delegation in Gulfport.
“Its gorgeous out there, I went and walked the whole island. The beaches are exquisite. It is like you went to the middle of the Caribbean and all Mississippi will be able to enjoy that now. It is a phenomenal asset,” said Horseman.
The 217 acres was purchased from the Boddie family. According to Hoseman, the family has owned the land for over a hundred years.
The total purchase price for the land was $8 million. That money came from from state tidelands funds from casino leases, federal oil spill settlement funds, and money that had been sent aside to purchase part of Deer Island.
