NATCHEZ — Natchez may soon see an influx of more than $9 million in state money for several area projects.

Included in House Bill 1729, a $250 million bond bill awaiting a signature from the governor, is $400,000 for the former Natchez College in the Woodlawn neighborhood.

The General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi established Natchez College in 1885. It survived until the early 1990s.

Historic Natchez Foundation Executive Director Mimi Miller has worked with the Baptist convention in hopes of saving the now dilapidated building.

The convention hopes to turn the building into a retreat center for churches, Miller said.

“There could also be an emphasis on Natchez tourism and an emphasis on African-American history, with programming, public tours and possibly an outdoor theater,” she said.

Natchez College played an important role in the education of African-Americans in Mississippi for more than a century, Miller said.

“One of its most famous alumnae is Anne Moody, who wrote ‘Coming of Age in Mississippi,’” Miller said. “She wrote about the college, the Woodlawn neighborhood and the town of Natchez in her landmark book, which is on the required reading list of many American colleges and universities.”

Sen. Barbara Blackmon introduced the funding for Natchez College into the bond bill. Blackmon, a lawyer, serves as general counsel for the convention. She also owns Natchez Manor bed-and-breakfast on Franklin Street.

Blackmon could not be reached for comment.

Also included in the bond bill is approximately $1.3 million for Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

President Ronnie Nettles said the funding is similar to amounts given to the college in years past.

Nettles said Co-Lin establishes a priority list of needs based on available funding.

Last year, the money was used for re-roofing and mechanical work at the Natchez campus, Nettles said.

This year’s funds are expected to be used for a similar project at the Wesson campus, Nettles said. If any money from the bond bill is used for the Natchez campus, Nettles said it would go toward completing the roofing project.

Alcorn State University will receive in the bond bill $7.5 million for staff housing.