NATCHEZ &045;&045; Monday presented two more delays in the groundbreaking of new company Venco in Adams County &045;&045; the passing of cement truck and a quick rainstorm.

But after the crowd of city, county, state and Venco leaders dodged the large truck and took cover from the rain, the moment finally happened.

&uot;It took 14 months to get here,&uot; Economic Development Authority Chairman Woody Allen said. &uot;And a lot of hard work from a lot of people.&uot;

Venco, to be located at the Adams County port, is a metal fabrication plant from Baton Rouge that has promised to bring at least 50 jobs to Natchez and the county.

Allen said Venco chose Adams County because of the skilled labor force, including many out of work former International Paper employees.

&uot;I’m looking forward to the first day of hiring,&uot; Allen said. &uot;Hopefully this is just the start of some good things to come.&uot;

Venco CEO Gary Ventrella said he was looking forward to contributing to the Natchez community.

&uot;The opportunity as an entrepreneur here was the infrastructure,&uot; Ventrella said. &uot;And the most important infrastructure was the people. That’s what sold me. There are great people here and that’s what makes a great community.&uot;

Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said Venco was an example of what can happen when local government works together.

&uot;I want to thank the congressional delegation, the governor, the Mississippi Development Authority, the port and the EDA,&uot; Grennell said. &uot;Mike Ferdinand (EDA director) worked night and day on this project.&uot;

Mayor Phillip West said even though the facility would be located in the county, Natchez would feel its effects.

&uot;If we work together in Natchez-Adams County the sky is the limit,&uot; West said. &uot;There are better days ahead of us. We will be your partner; we will do everything we can.&uot;

Now that the final approval has been received and ground has been broken Venco will be able to advertise for construction bids and begin work.