EDA board hopes to work with Alcorn State

By Brian Reynolds (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, October 16, 2008

NATCHEZ — Alcorn State’s job of analyzing the economic impact of Rentech is having added benefits for the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority.

“Now that they have that software they can help us assess perspective businesses,” EDA Executive Director Jeff Rowell said.

Previously, the EDA had to send economic impact studies to Jackson. In Jackson, they were put on a waiting list and it sometimes took weeks to get results. Alcorn’s software will allow them to get results much more quickly.

This will help the EDA in dealing with city and county officials.

“It really helps us explain to our local officials what the impact would be,” Rowell said. “It helps to put real numbers to the project, to help us know what we need to do to help them.