photo by Hannah Reel

Mease Banks is the new Natchez Downtown Development Association director.

Downtown development welcomes new director

By Jennifer Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, July 3, 2009

NATCHEZ — Mease Banks sometimes feels trapped by a suit and tie.

The new executive director of the Natchez Downtown Development Association said clothes of that type are too hot to wear when your job is to be on the streets meeting and greeting.

And Banks said shaking hands and making introductions has kept him busy since being named executive director at NDDA nearly three weeks ago.

“(Downtown) is a family type atmosphere where everyone knows everyone,” Banks said. “Now, I’m just trying to get to know everyone.”

Banks fills the position left vacant in March when former director Carrie Lambert left NDDA to take a position at Natchez Community Hospital.

Banks, a Vidalia native, graduated from Vidalia High School in 1994 and studied English at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

NDDA’s goal as an organization is to attract shoppers and patrons, locals and tourist, to business. And that is something Banks said he knows he can do.

Prior to coming to NDDA, Banks had marketing and promotions positions at several different casinos, including the Isle of Capri in Natchez where he got his start in marketing.

He also worked in the promotions department at Isle of Capri casino in Tunica.

Banks said the skills he picked up working for Isle of Capri, are the same skills he will use while working at NDDA.

“It’s all about marketing and promoting what you have,” Banks said. “And here, in downtown Natchez, we have so much. All the shops and restaurants and artists blend into a unique culture.

“Now it is my job to make sure people know about it and are coming.”

To do that, Banks will continue most of the monthly and annual events NDDA has been doing like First Friday activities, downtown trick-or-treating, monthly merchant meetings and quarterly C You in the Courtyard membership meetings.

But, one of Banks’ main goals is to take downtown Natchez over the once-a-month hump and develop and downtown that is active every day.

“I’m excited about the opportunities that are here to create a unique atmosphere,” Banks said. “Now I have to do the leg work to get that excitement going day-to-day for others.”

Jason Dauphin, vice president of the NDDA board of directors said during the interview process Banks’ marketing background was what really put him over the top.

“The only paid position at NDDA is Mease. Everyone else is a volunteer,” Dauphin said. “So to have someone who can be in here every day who understands how to market, how to promote, is a real asset. He knows how to market to tourists and how to go outside of Natchez to promote.”

But for now, Banks is spending his time focusing on Natchez. And to do that, he is doing a lot of listening.

“I like to listen. I have to hear what the business owners and residents are wanting and needing so I’ll know what I need to do for them,” Banks said. “I am here to help them, but first I have to find out what they need.”