NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez is getting some help from the state to make repairs to the Natchez Visitor Reception Center in the form of a $100,000 appropriation.

Mayor Butch Brown said the city received the appropriation from the state’s transportation budget with the help of Rep. Robert Johnson, who is chair of the House transportation committee, and Sen. Willie Simmons, who is chair of the Senate highways and transportation committee.

Johnson said the mayor and other city officials made him aware that the visitor center was in need of several repairs. Johnson said Natchez’s visitor center is unique in that it is owned by the city, unlike all of the other welcome centers in the state. Money to operate those welcome centers comes out of the transportation budget.

“As chairman of transportation, I looked into it and did what I thought needed to be done,” Johnson said. “The visitor center is owned by the City of Natchez, but I asked them to make an exception, and we were able to get that done.”

Brown said the Mississippi Department of Transportation helped fund the visitor center’s construction but has said it cannot fund maintenance costs since the building is owned by the city.

Brown said he contends that despite being owned by the city, the visitor center is a designated welcome center and should receive state maintenance funds as do other welcome centers.

MDOT does, however, provide funding for a portion of security at the visitor center, Brown said.

Natchez Tourism Director Connie Taunton said the visitor center needs repairs to the roof, leaking windows and the courtyard fountain. Taunton said the city is also looking into using the money for landscaping.

“Overall, we’ll go over the building from top to bottom … we’ll think long and hard about it and prioritize,” Taunton said.

Brown said his reason for seeking the appropriation is another attempt to help offset the growing costs of maintaining the city’s public properties.

“These buildings cannot take care of themselves,” he said.

Johnson said the Mississippi Development Authority would administer the appropriation after the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Johnson added that it is important to maintain the visitor center properly because it is a reflection of Natchez and the state.

“Right here where we are in Natchez, we have one of the best and one of the most beautiful visitors center in the state,” he said. “The importance of keeping that up and maintaining it in a manner that represents Natchez and the State of Mississippi is very important.

“It’s a gateway to the state, and we need to do all we can to ensure it is consistent with the rich history and wonderful atmosphere we have in Natchez.”