In an environment of economic challenges, Winnie Kaiser’s drive to find grants where they are most needed has helped some local businesses expand.

&uot;We were a real new company,&uot; said Ann Middleton, president of Big M Supply Co. on Highland Boulevard.

&uot;Winnie got us a small grant, but to us, it was a big deal.&uot;

In February 1998, Kaiser wrote a business expansion grant for Big M Supply and the business received $2,500 from Entergy for that expansion.

&uot;She’s great to work with,&uot; Middleton said. &uot;Her personality puts you at ease.&uot;

&uot;The EDA and the City of Natchez have a jewel in Winnie Kaiser,&uot; said Fred Middleton, vice president of Big M Supply. &uot;She got us a grant from Entergy at a time when we started out that we needed equipment.

&uot;She stays with you, too. When the clouds are dark and the winds are high, she doesn’t let go of you.&uot;

A recent School to Careers grant for $140,000 will have important long term effects for Adams County, EDA board President Wally Kirk said.

&uot;That’s something that will help our young people choose a career and keep our most valuable resource at home,&uot; he said.

The grant will be vital to the future of Natchez and Adams County, said Ronnie Nettles, dean of the Natchez campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Co-Lin partnered with the EDA to receive the grant.

&uot;That grant is going to have a big impact, and she’s done a great job,&uot; Nettles said. &uot;I’ve only been back in Natchez two years, but Winnie has asked us to partner with the EDA and has always been willing to include us.&uot;