Adams County is rolling out the proverbial welcome mat for something other than Pilgrimage. That’s great news.

But unfortunately, our new friends and neighbors may not have a door stoop on which to lay their own mats.

Corrections Corporation of America is going to put nearly 400 employees to work in our area, but they’ll also be bringing in 30 to 40 employees of their own from out-of-town.

Many of these workers are coming here to get the prison up and running, train locals and move on. They will not be permanent residents.

But they will become an important part of our community for a few months or a few years. They’ll go to church with us, spend money in our stores and send children to local schools.

Of course, they have to find a place to live first.

The rental market in Natchez has been tight since Hurricane Katrina. Placing a middle class family in a rental home can be frustrating and at times may seem impossible. Placing a few dozen is going to be a community challenge.

Much like finding a hotel room for a hot-air balloon pilot immediately after Katrina, this project will take an effort from all of us.

If you know of a rental property, make sure you publicize it. If you are selling a house but wouldn’t mind renting it for a year or so, do so. And if you are an enterprising house flipper, well, get busy.

There won’t be a magic answer to a rental shortage, but together we can make our new neighbors feel welcome and right at home.

It’s the Natchez way.