A project long in the works is taking a big step forward this week. Alcorn State University plans to announce a partnership to bring an entrepreneur incubator to Adams County.

The project will begin with a digital imaging incubator, a technology that is a form of supercomputing used in medicine, forensics and mettalurgy.

In addition to the obvious potential for new industry, jobs and investment, the technological aspect of this incubator is a great new direction for Natchez and Adams County.

Alcorn President Dr. Clinton Bristow, working with economic development officials, has really designed a vision for this kind of industry thriving in Natchez.

While this initial step will be just that &045; the first phase &045; there is great potential, as Bristow believes, for southwest Mississippi to become a &uot;hub&uot; for this kind of technology.

We are also pleased to see Alcorn partner with Adams County and with economic development officials to bring such a project to the Miss-Lou. This also proves the connection between education and industry is strong and can produce great things for our community.

As Alcorn and its partners prepare to release more information about the project this week, we are looking forward to what comes next for this venture, which can have an important impact on our economic situation.