For the third time in four years, Natchez will receive a Cultural Diversity Award today from a national organization of black elected officials.

The award is presented each year to cities in four size categories which demonstrate innovation in reflecting diversity. It is sponsored by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, a division of the National League of Cities.

Natchez’s downtown Main Street is anchored on one end by an African-American history museum and on another by a farmer’s market built in cooperation with the historically black Alcorn State University.

Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown, who is in Washington, D.C., today to receive the award, said those projects formed the basis of the city’s application for the award.

&uot;This demonstrates that we’re doing something right,&uot; Brown said. &uot;It is a reflection of the city in many ways, in terms of economic development and tourism.&uot;

Alderman George Harden said he is pleased the award recognizes the city’s work with Alcorn to build the farmer’s market.

&uot;That farmer’s market is a jewel for the city,&uot; he said.

The Main Street Marketplace is a cooperative effort of the city, Alcorn and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It opened last fall in an old grocery store building and offers produce and local crafts.

The Natchez Association for the Preservation of African-American Culture Museum moved into the old post office building on Main Street last year. The museum had been located on Market Street.

Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux called the work with the farmer’s market and the move of the museum to Main Street &uot;ground-breaking.&uot;

But she also emphasized that Natchez needs to take more steps toward cultural diversity, especially those that involve economic development. &uot;We need to do a whole lot more than just those two projects,&uot; she said. &uot;We need jobs where people can earn a living wage.&uot;

The NBC-NLO is the largest division of the National League of Cities, Brown said.