... addressing growing needs across the Northern Gulf of Mexico

At the Mississippi State University Center for Urban Rural Interface Studies (CURIS), it is our mission to provide a clearinghouse of information regarding community socio-economic profiles, changes in land use, community resiliency, economic and disaster preparedness, and economic impacts of natural and technological disasters.

Addressing our communities’ “growing” needs, CURIS strives to assist with planning and policy decisions related to the improvement of the quality of life in the Gulf Coastal region of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Along the northern Gulf of Mexico region, the vulnerability of rural counties/parishes has become more apparent due to the occurrence of more natural disasters during the last decade.  Although natural hazards cannot be prevented, with disaster preparedness knowledge, awareness and practices, the recovery period can be expedited.