City council affirms Nichols as economic development director

GULFPORT — Planning consultant David Nichols has been confirmed as urban and economic development director by the Gulfport City Council.

Nichols was picked by Mayor George Schloegel to fill the position that combines several responsibilities. The council unanimously approved the appointment on yesterday.

Nichols formerly served as chief administrative officer for Gulfport and held the same post in Biloxi.

“First thing we’re going to do is get us an inventory of all the vacant properties in the commercial zoning district, inventory of downtown buildings that are vacant, and we’re going to determine what we have, what are our resources, and we’re going to start marking those resources,” he said.