NATCHEZ — For local business owners and residents who seek a way to offer their opinion on state issues, the Mississippi Economic Council will offer one option when it comes to town Tuesday.

As the state’s chamber of commerce, MEC tours communities across the state each year to gauge the public’s opinions about issues facing Mississippians.

“We come to talk about the key issues facing the state and to get feedback from members of the community,” MEC interim CEO Scott Waller said.

Waller and other members of the state’s chamber of commerce will host a free lunch meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Hotel Vue.

Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, the lunch is free and the public is invited to attend. Pre-registration is required at www.mec.ms or by texting “MECTour” to 955-77.

Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said the tour offers residents a voice on state economic development issues.

Using an electronic voting system, local residents are asked to vote on issues ranging from education to infrastructure. The votes tabulated from the lunch are used to create policies that are then taken to elected officials.

“MEC is basically the state’s lobbyist on economic development issues,” Hudson said. “They use the numbers to back up their concerns.”

Hudson said those who attend the lunch will get an opportunity to learn about state issues and at the same time become part of MEC’s decision-making process.

“They have to have your numbers and facts to back up their positions,” Hudson. “This gives those in our area a chance to answer questions about the community and to help promote the issues.”

Waller said, this year, MEC is also adding a small segment that will include a panel to talk about the issues and how they relate directly to Natchez and Southwest Mississippi.

“It is another way to tie back the issues we are talking about with the community,” Waller said.

Waller said MEC has already made 12 stops in other cities and communities across the state and that Natchez will be the first stop of the tour in the state for 2018.

“We are very excited to be coming Tuesday and encourage anyone interested to come and offer input,” Waller said.