BY GENE COLEMAN

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said he has appointed a group of community leaders to serve on a Natchez-Adams Economic Development Council.

Grennell said the council’s mission would be to “foster relationships, communications and joint strategies among local economic leaders to encourage diverse economic growth, job creation and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens of Natchez-Adams County.”

The first meeting of the newly formed council will be 11 a.m. Monday at Natchez City Hall to discuss the group’s mission and objectives, Grennell said.

The meetings are open to the public, Grennell said.

“It’s multifaceted in terms of the focus and the purpose,” Grennell said.  “It’s not only economic growth but to help us stabilize and diversify.”

Grennell said part of the council’s mission is to protect what Natchez already has.

Grennell said he would like for the group to hold weekly meetings to “work toward developing relationships, facilitating communication and fostering a shared economic vision.”

Members of the council are Joe Murray, county administrator; Debbie Hudson, president/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce; Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez, Inc.; Chesney Doyle, president of FOR Natchez/Downtown Development; Lance Harris, president of the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission; Jennifer Combs, director of Visit Natchez; Warren Reuther, manager of the Natchez Convention Center; Kathleen Jenkins, superintendent of Natchez National Historical Park; Carter Burns, director of the Historic Natchez Foundation; Tabitha Wroten, president of the Board of Realtors; Tate Hobdy, chairman or the Recreation Commission; Lance Boyd, CEO of Merit Hospital; Anthony Hauer, director of the Natchez Port Authority; Gary Holloway, president of the Airport Commission; Teresa Busby, president of Co-Lin; and Fred Butcher, superintendent of the Natchez-Adams School District.

Grennell also has requested the aldermen and councilmen attend as they are able, and he has a system set up to make sure no quorums occur.

The council could expand down the road, Grennell said.

“There may be other areas that we might need to involve, but I just want to go in and get something started and get some talk going,” Grennell said. “Once the council comes together and we brainstorm, members might suggest someone.”

The weekly meetings might become less frequent, but for now, Grennell said he wants to feed off the newness of the council.

“I just want to get it going and get it started where we have a lot of energy at the beginning. As time goes by the council itself will determine if it needs to be weekly or bi-weekly,” Grennell said. “The whole purpose we’re talking about here is synergy, working together to enhance our community.”