Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened today at 6 AM. Located off I-10 at the Menge Avenue exit in Pass Christian, the massive 74,000-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana
“It’s gonna be a great opportunity for Mississippi and Louisiana and everybody that would have just passed through that landmass between New Orleans and Mobile.”
To get to Buc-ee’s from downtown New Orleans, drivers can take I-10 east through Slidell and across the Mississippi border, exiting at Menge Avenue. Lavers says a newly expanded five-lane bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion around the site.
“So that’s what we put up, and that was the incentive that we didn’t. Then we did a TIF package, a Tax Increment Financing Zone, to help them with some of the other infrastructure. I’d say we’re at the finish line, but it’s just really at the beginning.”
Lavers says the $80 million project is expected to create over 200 jobs, offering $20 per hour pay, benefits, and 401(k) matching, while providing a major economic boost to the region with Buc-ee’s visitors.
“Maybe they’ll come for Cruising the Coast and stop at Buc-ee’s, or stop at Buc-ee’s and find out about Cruising the Coast. So, there’s a lot that this is going to generate for the future.”
