NATCHEZ — City of Natchez leaders discussed Wednesday how to get more residents and tourists to downtown Natchez.

Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson stood before The Natchez Board of Aldermen to discuss the possibilities of hiring a director for the Mississippi Main Street Association.

The Natchez Downtown Development Association is responsible for operating the Main Street Program, but a director is needed in order to get the best of this development.

“We pay money into that program and have a distinction, but no director,” The Main Street program is set in four parts, which works on activities for retail businesses in the downtown area and to help market the area and get businesses to come to Natchez.

Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis suggested putting a group together consisting of local city officials in order to find a director for the program.

“We want all of our empty buildings to have something in them,” Hudson said. “To be proactive in getting businesses here, you need a director.”

Currently, the Mississippi Main Street Association is allowing downtown to have a certificate obtaining a national Main Street community.

Hudson hopes to focus more on retail and business to draw money to the community.

Hudson suggested going back to the table and see what the city can do about retail that brings in economic development and money to the community.

The board took no action on the matter Wednesday.

In other news from the meeting:

4Attorney Tony Heidelberg approached the aldermen to discuss a municipal court software program, which allows officers to identify violations and move forward to issue citations and have everything available for viewing for the court.

Heidelberg said the software will help officials operate more efficiently.

A motion was moved for a $3,600 contract for the program.