NATCHEZ — Boyette Strategic Advisors Friday unveiled its recommendations for the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority — a new name, a new budget, a new attitude.

The EDA would be known as either Natchez Economic Development Corporation or Natchez Inc., a $380,000 per year marketing enterprise funded by Adams County, the City of Natchez and private investors.

“Natchez is a known brand,” Del Boyette said of the name change. “The EDA signifies a governmental entity and the new name signals a new organization that is focused on business.

“There are Adams counties all over the country, but there’s one Natchez. It’s a good brand, but you’ve got to get it going right.”

Boyette’s recommendations suggest the county contribute $165,000 annually, the city contribute $100,000 annually and private investors contribute $115,000 annually.

The annual income pays for staff salaries totaling $238,500, fixed office costs totaling $30,000 and marketing and training costs totaling $111,500.

Boyette said the new venture would operate as a 501(c)(6) organization, and be governed by a seven-member board of directors that includes three private sector investors, one Chamber of Commerce representative, one representative from the Business and Civic League, one city representative and one county representative.

An executive director, a director of business development and an administrative assistant would operate day-to-day operations. The recommended salaries for these positions are $115,000, $40,000 and $25,000 respectively, plus 30 percent in benefits.

Boyette Advisor Charlie Sloan said the new organization needs a seasoned executive director who can sell Natchez and Adams County well.

“These folks have good track records and command decent salaries,” Sloan said. “Everybody needs to look for someone with passion and enthusiasm.”

Boyette said the first steps in implementing the recommendations involves creating an informal work group of elected and appointed leaders and private citizens, repealing the legislation that formed the current EDA and passing legislation that allows the city and county to fund the new organization.

Boyette also advised initiating a fundraising campaign and creating a separate organization for private investors called Natchez Now. All area business owners and individuals are invited to an organizational meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Regions Bank on Franklin Street.

Entergy Economic Development Director John Turner immediately pledged his company’s support to the new organization.

Boyette urged city and county leaders not to waste time in their restructuring efforts, and Mayor Jake Middleton insisted the Adams County board of supervisors and the Natchez board of aldermen work closely to implement Boyette’s recommendations.

“We don’t need to walk out of this room and let this go until January,” Middleton said. “Everybody said (the EDA) is broke, let’s fix it; so let’s move on with this plan. It’s exciting.”

Board of Supervisors President Henry Watts credited the Mississippi Development Authority for jump starting discussions about restructuring the EDA.

Watts said Boyette’s recommendations mirrored his own.

“(This proposal) pulls more of the private sector in, and I’m glad to see their proposal on the public-private sector,” Watts said.

Boyette based its recommendations on interviews and group discussions with 68 stakeholders, and online community survey results. The information is detailed in a 115-page document.

Boyette’s fee was funded by a $50,000 contribution from the MDA, $12,500 in funding from the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority and $12,500 from private donations.