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Five Mississippi articles reveal rural economic shifts and community impacts in 2025

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

Five recent Mississippi articles show how economic changes are reshaping rural communities in 2025. The closure of 62 Dirt Cheap discount stores has forced locals to search further for affordable essentials and left workers without jobs, prompting groups like the Blue Mountain Civic Association to provide support. Meanwhile, Enviva shut down its Amory wood pellet plant after bankruptcy, but keeps operating in Lucedale and Pascagoula, raising questions about long-term job stability in the region.

A favorite local bakery, Cheeky Monkey, closed its doors but now shifts to custom orders from home, preserving its connection with loyal customers. At the same time, ALDI is opening new stores in place of closed Winn-Dixies, offering different shopping experiences and filling some retail gaps in these affected areas.

The Dirt Cheap store on U.S. 49 in Gulfport is one of five in the country designated as “super lux” and selling premium brands at reduced prices. By Courtesy of Dirt Cheap

NO. 1: BIG BUSINESS CLOSURES HURT RURAL COMMUNITIES, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ACROSS MISSISSIPPI

Bankruptcies like that of Dirt Cheap often leave behind limited retail options in rural communities. | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mallory Strickland

This file photo shows the Enviva Inc. wood-pellet manufacturing plant in George County while it was under construction in April 2022. The plant has met job creation goals in exchange for millions in federal, state and local assistance, and continues operations while the company and subsidiaries reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 2: MISSISSIPPI PLANT CLOSING AFTER GETTING MILLIONS IN INCENTIVES. ARE SOUTH MS SITES SAFE?

Two months after emerging from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Enviva is closing its plant in northern Mississippi and looking at efficiencies at its other facilities, including two in South MS. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Ken Montana shows off his skills cutting ribs and ham at the buffet in his Montana’s restaurant in Gulfport in this 1999 file photo. By DAVID PURDY

NO. 3: REMEMBER MONTANA’S BARBECUE? CHEF USED HIS MAMA’S RECIPES AT SOUTH MS RESTAURANTS

Here’s a throwback to Southern-style buffet restaurants that were popular on the MS Gulf Coast 25 years ago and owned by the same chef. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Very Vanilla cupcakes with Facebook sprinkles will be given away on Friday at Cheeky Monkey in Biloxi, in celebration of Facebook’s new birthday stories. By Mary Perez

NO. 4: BELOVED MS COAST BAKERY MAKES LAST KING CAKE AND CLOSES STORE. BUT IT’S NOT THE END

The Biloxi bakery with an unusual name is going in a different direction after the head baker decided to stir things up. Here’s what is next for their cakes and treats. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Work continues on a new ALDI location in D’Iberville on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. The site was formerly a Winn-Dixie. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 5: HERE’S WHEN THE NEXT ALDI STORE OPENS IN SOUTH MS AND HOW TO GET IN ON THE GIVEAWAYS

Get a quarter ready for the shopping cart and bring your grocery bags. Shopping at this new ALDI store is a little different than at other supermarkets. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.