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Working as a region is essential
Published Saturday, June 20, 2009
NATCHEZ — The bridge economic developers are trying to build between Concordia Parish and Adams County isn’t made of steel and concrete.
It’s a bridge built of a common goal — bringing businesses to the area.
And on Tuesday, the Ferriday, Vidalia and Natchez-Adams County chambers of commerce are hosting an event to bring the Miss-Lou together with a luncheon — “Marketing Our Region.”
The idea began rather simply, over breakfast actually, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Hudson said.
A director from each chamber and Concordia Parish Economic Director Heather Malone were making easy conversation when they struck an idea.
“We talked about how we had similar assets and really there was no initiative to do something about this,” Hudson said. “So we decided to take it upon ourselves to see what we could to do build the bridge.”
First they decided to lead by example by joining forces, then they decided to bring in an expert economic developer.
Malone knew just who to call.
She had heard Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of Charlotte Regional Partnership, speak during an economic development course in Chapel Hill, N.C.
In Bryant’s case, his regional organization serves 12 counties in North Carolina and four counties in South Carolina.
“(Working across state lines is) a common thread that we have with them,” Malone said.
And she thought Bryant could lend some much-needed advice to the Miss-Lou.
“Regionalism is tough already, trying to cross county or parish lines,” Malone said. “Then we you look at the state line, then we have the barrier of the river — I thought he would be a good person to come talk to us.”
She said the line parish and county residents draw between the two areas in the community is nonexistent to potential developers.
“All of us live, work, play or shop on the other side — we do one or the other on the other side,” she said.
And having that kind of flow from community to community is actually appealing to developers.
“They don’t care where one parish starts or ends, they’re looking at the resources in the area,” Malone said.
And by knowing, understanding and marketing the entire region, there are many resources into which to tap.
Even lobbying to both state legislators and governors could be an overall benefit to the area, Malone said.
“Regionalism is such an important part of economic development that we have to jump on,” she said.
While the luncheon is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Vidalia Convention Center, a meeting of the various government officials in the area will take place Monday with Bryant.
Sponsors who have helped fund the event will be treated to a breakfast with Bryant Tuesday morning.
And Hudson said this is only the beginning of initiative to come together as a collective community.
“Our ultimate goal, which we’re going to make available quarterly, is a meeting with all local officials on both sides,” she said.
Comments
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They are about 50 years too late. Vidalia better watch out or Natchez will run off half of their businesses,or dip in the pie too heavy. Just like they did in Natchez.
Posted by babev1 (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vidalia is growing Natchez is dying its like the city of Natchez wants to die there is nothing here no jobs so when the young people get out of school they have to move away so they can make a living and now alot of people are having to move so that they to can make a living for their families. Natchez has always been to worried about the old home and not worried about how everyone eles was going to make a living its almost to late now.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, babev1, it seems that's the way Natchez has wanted it all along! When you enter the city, notice the sign..."Retirement Community". It's not a place to plan your future and raise your babies...it's a place to retire on your pension, Social Security, or Old Money till you pass on. Oh, Natchez is beautiful alright, there's no arguing that point, and they do have a Kmart and a mall, but beyond that, if you have limited finances, it's just an unexciting existence and nothing seems to be changing...and that's the way they're gonna keep it.
Good idea though, Ms. Malone.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I LOVE living in Natchez and I thank the Lord for it most mornings.
:)
Posted by 1redneck (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez so-called leaders don't want growth .They've been preaching economic development since I was in grade school . ,and that's been a long time . They are still preaching economic growth and nothing yet . Nothing ever changes in Natchez . Don't take my word for it . All you have to do is read their papers and drive around certain parts of the city . Their idea of economic development is building a hotel that pays minimum wage . Natchez is backwards . They don't have or ever had a plan for growth .
Vidalia and Ferriday will be better off doing this on their own . There's just too much bickering and disagreement in Natchez to get anything accomplished . Some of Natchez elected officials are extremely anti business and our neighbors to the west is going to find out real soon . Natchez leaders can't do anything without arguing and are rarely in agreement on anything positive as far as business is concerned . And lets not forget , they are experts at running potential businesses off . Ferriday and Vidalia do you really want to partner up with Natchez so-called leaders ?
Posted by unc (anonymous) on June 21, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard the boy king mayor of Natchez say at many alderman meetings in the sixties ans early 70s that Natchez neither wanted nor needed smokestack industries . Took a long time , but it came to pass as the good book says .
Posted by samjones (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We're not too late. No community is "dying." Bickering and disagreement get us nowhere, but so does pessimism and doing nothing. Change happens because YOU make it happen, not some board that meets once a month. They represent you. If you want change, vote for it. Express your own ideas for bringing development, jobs and wealth to this region.
If you can't make the luncheon, talk to someone who did go and find out what we CAN do working together. Then tell your leaders you want it. Do something to make it happen.
By the way, retirees have wisdom and professional experience that we could use to create new businesses and the atmosphere in which those businesses thrive. They also spend more money than most, so be nice.
Posted by juju (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
samjones, this anonymous blogging is about the only way one can express concern in Natchez. If you try any other way you will step on toes and you'll be sorry you did.
Posted by samjones (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, juju. I believe in open communication because I've seen it work. anonymous blogging makes you just that - anonymous.
You probably won't be at this luncheon because you think there's no use in it. That's too bad. This guy talks the talk and walks the walk. But you won't know that.
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