About 500 people have signed up to attend an economic symposium in south Mississippi.

The third annual State of the Coast Economy Symposium is set for Wednesday at IP Casino Resort in Biloxi.

Business leaders have been working to create a strategic plan that will focus south Mississippi’s economic direction for the next 10-15 years.

Anthony Wilson, CEO of Mississippi Power Co. and chairman of the Gulf Coast Business Council, says the long-range plan will be outlined Wednesday.

Wilson told the newspaper that the report will highlight the Gulf Coast’s strengths, and areas in need of improvement.