NATCHEZ — Local officials spent Wednesday in Jackson promoting Natchez with hopes that legislators keep the area in mind when deciding the fate of some legislation that could affect Adams County.

Officials from Natchez Inc. and the Natchez CVB set up a table in the rotunda of state capitol building for Natchez Day at the Capitol to meet and greet legislators, Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said.

The goal, Russ and Natchez Tourism Director Connie Taunton said, is to keep Natchez in the forefront of legislators’ minds.

“We’re here to promote Natchez and Adams County to the Legislature as a whole and keep Natchez in the forefront of economic development as far as a presence in the capitol,” Russ said.

Natchez Inc. also voiced their support to legislators for legislation that would reduce the state severance tax for horizontal drilling in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale formation to 0 percent for 30 months, Russ said. The county’s share of the severance tax would be reduced to 1.25 percent

The tax reduction, Russ said, would incentivize drilling companies to locate to Adams County and make the county more competitive in the market.

“When companies are evaluating where to spend their dollars, to be in a competitive situation placed on an equal playing field is vital to seeing this continue and develop,” he said.

Russ said pending tourism legislation could also affect the area.

Senate Bill 2565 would establish a state tourism advisory board to help the Mississippi Development Authority develop tourism marketing and advertising strategies. The bill would also create a special fund that would pay any expenses incurred by MDA carrying out those strategies.

Taunton said the city hosted Natchez Day at the capitol years ago and started it back again last year to show appreciation to the legislators.

“We tell them what all we have going on in Natchez as far as economic development and tourism, answer any questions and talk to them about how much we appreciate them,” Taunton said.