The operator of America’s only Class 1 nickel refinery has announced plans to build a refinery in Natchez. Westwood Elements said it will invest $502 million to build a nickel refinery at the Bellwood Industrial site.
The company’s initial phase would create 134 full-time jobs, with an average annual salary of about $84,000 and employer-paid benefits. The first phase is expected to produce 18,000 tons of Class 1 nickel per year. Commissioning is targeted for 2029, pending final engineering, permitting, and finance approvals.
The announcement comes alongside a forecast for possible Gulf of Mexico impacts. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a potential disturbance in the Bay of Campeche and says it has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within seven days. State climatologist Jay Grimes said that if a system forms, it would move toward the north-northeast, which could put Louisiana at risk depending on whether the system is upgraded to a tropical named storm. Grimes said the name would be Isaias, if it reaches that stage.
Separately, the Mississippi Department of Education reported results from the 2025–26 school year for advanced placement testing. The department said more than 13,000 Mississippi public school students took nearly 19,000 AP exams. It also reported a record high of 10,305 exams earning a qualifying score. The percentage of exams earning a qualifying score was 54.4%. The department said that since 2013, the total number of Mississippi students taking AP courses and passing AP exams has more than doubled. Mississippi is one of 37 states that has a consistent statewide AP credit policy.
In Louisiana, four data centers are under construction. Governor Jeff Landry discussed the projects during an appearance on Fox Business, saying the construction of data centers and other related initiatives represents what he called a “next American renaissance.” He described the effort as creating “digital factories” and expanding opportunities in Louisiana and the country.
When asked about concerns that data centers could raise electricity costs and put pressure on local water supplies, Landry said opponents were spreading information he characterized as not factual.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia was reported at 25.80 feet and falling.
