Meet the Neighbors
Mallory Darby
Vice President of Economic Development, Great River Economic Development Foundation
When it comes to quality of life, having good neighbors ranks right up there with access to a high-caliber education and family-friendly amenities. Fortunately, Mississippi County is home to all of that and more! In our new profile series, Meet the Neighbors, we’ll introduce you to some locals as they share why their hometown is a great place to live, learn, work and play.
First up, we’re happy to introduce Mallory Darby, vice president of economic development for the Great River Economic Development Foundation. A native of Blytheville, Mallory graduated from Gosnell High School in 2004 and earned her bachelor of arts in business from Mississippi State University. She lived in the state of Mississippi for a decade before moving back to Mississippi County for a new career opportunity and to be closer to family. Mallory and her 5-year-old daughter currently live in Manila with their spirited terrier mix, Zoe.
Read on to learn more about Mallory and why she loves calling Mississippi County home.
Q: What are some of your favorite things about this area?
A: My favorite thing about the area is that every community in Mississippi County has something unique and fun to offer.
Q: Speaking of fun, when you have free time, what do you do in MissCo?
A: My daughter and I ride bikes, paint and find ways to be creative. One of our favorite places to go is the waterpark in Manila and Natural State Fitness, where my daughter participates in competitive cheer. We also recently registered to play soccer; I will be coaching my daughter. We enjoy the outdoors and the opportunity Mississippi County affords us to give back to our community.
Q: Where do you like to eat in MissCo and what’s your favorite meal?
A: Our favorite local dive is LaCascada in Manila. My daughter loves the cheese dip, and I always order their brisket tacos and homemade hot sauce.
Q: What does a typical Saturday look like for you?
A: It depends on the season. Saturdays are usually the day we set aside for fun experiences, like having breakfast at The Grange at Wilson Gardens or attending local events like the Keiser Fall Festival or Wilson’s CottonFest (both on Sept. 16). One that we were able to recently attend for the first time was the Johnny Cash Heritage Festival. Just last month we put our cowgirl boots on and went to the Caraway Rodeo. When were aren’t busy with our extracurricular activities (cheer and soccer) we usually enjoy SEC football and good company.
Q: What’s something that might surprise people about MissCo?
A: I think people would be surprised to learn about the unique history of Mississippi County and the current economic impact we have on the U.S. economy through the booming steel industry.
Q: What excites you most about the future of Mississippi County?
A: What excites me the most about the future of Mississippi County is the tremendous amount of opportunity we have to create a new and vibrant community. The residential development that is currently underway in several of our towns and cities is a great indicator for growth and continued momentum. Growth in the residential base supports growth in quality of life and programs for residents. We are very encouraged and excited about the future of Mississippi County!
