An eclectic group of Adams County leaders are headed to Jackson early this week with a wish list in their pockets.

Economic development and chamber leaders, a Republican party leader and an Adams County supervisor are among those chosen to represent our area at Gov.-elect Haley Barbour’s Jobs Creation Summit Tuesday.

And if any region needs some attention in that area, it’s Southwest Mississippi.

The marquee names are White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and FedEx CEO Fred Smith &045; arguably good contacts for anyone in our state.

But we’re most interested in what Barbour plans to do to lure jobs in his first few months in office &045; and what he plans to do to help struggling Southwest Mississippi, where plant closings have hurt the economy. It’s hard to say just how much good a day-long session &045; shared with a few hundred other people &045; can do, but it certainly puts our foot in the door of a new administration.

We’ve said before that we think Barbour was the right choice to lead Mississippi, but we still believe he must prove he is the right governor for our region.

He was a no-show recently at the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner &045; understandably, with his busy schedule &045; but he left a room full of residents with a lot of questions about what he’s going to do to help us. The attendees at this week’s jobs summit can &045; and should &045; show a unified front that we are eager to work with the new administration, and that we’re not just looking for a handout.