NATCHEZ — Natchez could be home to more than 200 new jobs if a new industry with its eye on five Mississippi cities — including the Natchez area — gets a green light from state leaders in Jackson, Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said.

Gov. Haley Barbour’s office announced in a press release sent Wednesday afternoon that lawmakers, scheduled to convene in a special session Friday, will consider a $100 million package for HCL CleanTech.

The company, which converts biomass to sugars that can be used as industrial bioproducts, plans to locate one of three large-scale manufacturing plants in the Natchez area.

The company will invest $1 billion and create 800 jobs in the state with an average salary of $67,000 plus benefits.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for us,” Russ said. “Both the jobs and the significant capital investment will be tremendous benefits to the region.”

HCL CleanTech is planning to establish headquarters in Olive Branch and build a small-scale commercial facility and research and development center in Grenada.

The three large-scale commercial plants will be located in Booneville, Hattiesburg and Natchez areas, the release says.

Russ said it is very likely the company will locate in Adams County, but that all of Southwest Mississippi would benefit.

The company will not begin construction on the Natchez plant, however, until the pilot facility in Grenada becomes operational.

“We do have a long lead time before we will see any dirt moving or construction,” Russ said.

While 800 jobs will be spread out over five cities, Russ said the plant in Natchez would employ a significantly higher number of people than its equal share.

The headquarters in Olive Branch and pilot in Grenada will not provide the same category of jobs, Russ said.

Southwest Mississippi will also be able to benefit by providing natural resources, such as lumber, to HCL CleanTech.

Sen. Bob Dearing said Wednesday he was meeting with his finance committee today and would learn more details about the deal.

“It’s exciting news, that’s no doubt,” Dearing said.

Dearing said he would learn more about the project and incentive package Thursday before guessing about its chances of passing in the legislature.

“That’s part of what serving is all about, trying to bring jobs in our area,” Dearing said.

Also at Friday’s special session, Barbour will ask legislators to consider a $75 million package to bring new company Calisolar to Columbus.

Calisolar would provide a private capital investment of at least $600 million and 951 direct full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $45,000 plus benefits.

Calisolar’s Columbus facility will produce silicon to be used in a number of industries, including automotive, energy (including solar panels), electronics and consumer industries.