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EDA board votes to give $12,500 to NDDA
Published Thursday, November 19, 2009
NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority Board has agreed to fund the Natchez Downtown Development Association for $12,500, EDA Chairman Woody Allen said Wednesday.
The EDA board voted unanimously to fund the NDDA for six months, Allen said. Once that time has elapsed, the board will revisit the agreement.
Until recently, the City of Natchez allocated $25,000 to the NDDA annually. The amount covered NDDA Executive Director Mease Banks’ salary.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen cut the funding during budget hearings in late August and early September to allow more fiscal breathing room. Banks and other NDDA members said they had not been informed of the budget cut.
Because the Adams County Board of Supervisors cut the EDA budget by $80,000 this fiscal year, Allen said the EDA board is hesitant to offer more than what was agreed upon.
“If we go in for ($25,000), I think it would put a huge financial strain on our overall budget,” Allen said. “But I would hate to see an organization fall flat and lose everything that’s been done.”
Banks and NDDA Board of Directors Vice President Jason Dauphin were on hand at the board meeting Wednesday at the Natchez Convention Center alongside NDDA member Sissy Atkins Blackwood and Sally Durkin, media liaison with the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Dauphin offered a brief history of the NDDA, citing the nonprofit organization’s founding in 1983, and its mission to attract locals and tourists to downtown businesses.
The NDDA recently coordinated the Little Feet Trick or Treat event downtown, and is working on the “Christmas In Natchez: City of Lights” event set to kick off Nov. 27. The organization also coordinates Mardi Gras festivities and the Art & Soul Festival.
The NDDA has collected $13,000 to $16,000 in operating funds annually through membership fees and fundraisers over the last three years, Durkin said. The amount excludes previous funding from the city and barely covers operating expenses, Durkin added.
Currently, the NDDA has an operating budget of $500, Banks said.
Blackwood, who owns Natchez Consign & Design on Commerce Street, spoke on behalf of downtown merchants who support the NDDA and thanked the EDA for their assistance.
“Yes, we have the great Walmart and great businesses, but downtown is the heart of Natchez,” Blackwood said.
“I believe in Natchez, we believe in downtown and we need downtown development. We need this organization.”
Comments
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The NDDA is important - It is good that it will continue for the next 6 months (at least).
Mr. Banks though needs to hit the streets and meet all the merchants. I have supported the NDDA since the beginning (Gina Buckley) and worked on several NDDA committees - he has never been in my business.
I hope the Director will be active, energetic and will promote downtown. So far I am unimpressed with Meese.
If the NDDA is to survive, Meese has to prove he is worth funding, and worth paying the membership fees to.
Carrie worked hard - she tried new things - some did not work; but all the downtown businesses knew she did everything she could and we supported her efforts.
I hope to meet Meese soon
Posted by unpredictable1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am extremely excited to know that NDDA will be operating for at least 6 more months. I have met Mease on several occaisions and he is working hard for little pay. He has been in my shop numerous times and despite all the negative feed back towards NDDA, he has put his all into learning the position.
Natchez1, I know that you and Carrie are gals, but come on, Carrie had a rough start as well. (And a rougher ending) Not to mention, she had a budget to work with; which left when she left.
Mease has been the director for less than 5 months and within that time he had to deal with funding being cut, travel to several manditory state training mettings to ensure the certification of NDDA(which they weren't in 2008 or 2009), organize events downtown, keep complaining merchants happy and tie up loose ends left by...........
Mease has proven that NDDA is worth funding, so says EDA.
Great job Mease! I am very impressed with you.
You will soon meet everyone and things will fall into place. Natchez is full of nay sayers, complainers, and buddy buddy groups. Just continue to work hard and know that MOST merchants are behind you 100%
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"unpredictable 1", "natchez1" made very valid points. It seems to me if Meese has been if your store NUMEROUS times, he certainly has had time to visit "Natchez 1's" store....
And why do you think "natchez1" is a gal?
Buddy buddy groups? Is that why you think we all loved Carrie? She was on the streets daily. Doing whatever she could to help the merchants. Even those that aren't members of NDDA.
Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad you merchants have such faith in these groups and people.
I have to say, though, if their job is to promote downtown business to the area, they are doing a really poor job. They must promote within their own echo-chamber (typical for Natchez) because most of the events in this article I've never heard of and I at least try to pay attention. I don't run in the "downtown clique" so that may have something to do with it.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Crakalakin, the NDDA is doing a GREAT job of promoting considering the budget they have to work with. You been to any First Friday's or any of the street movies?
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"CRACALAKIN", have you ever been downtown? There's no way you wouldn't know about First Fridays and Art & Soul. For Art & Soul 2 blocks are closed off for vendors! These events are in the newspaper, radio, and Bluffs & Bayous. We'd love for you to visit us.
Posted by unpredictable1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOVESNATCHEZ, I am not saying that Carrie did not do a good job. I am simply saying that we need to realize the clean up that needed to be done to NDDA and give the new director a chance. It's slightly unfair to compare him to Carrie when he has only been in the position for four months.
I do agree, he may need to hit the streets more and be more visible. But, giving the time and his accomplishments so far; Mease has done a great job.
By the way, NDDA is always having merchant meetings. You can attend and meet Mease, the board and other merchants. LovesNatchez, have you tried to attend one? They are really informative and exciting.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"UNPREDICTABLE1", Please don't get defensive. Not only have I attended merchant meetings, I have hosted them. Noone is down on Meese. Natchez1 was simply stating that there is no way Meese can do a good job without meeting the merchants and finding out what's on their mind. "he may need to hit the streets more and be more visible"...It's not "may".. it's he "MUST".
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi "grunge", I think there is a bottom piece going to be put in place that looks like a toy drum.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I been accused of much - but never of being a gal.
Loves Natchez is right - we should see Meese on the streets and in our businesses.
I can't say I even get emails from him - I get emails from the NDDA but they were all written by someone else.
I don't know Meese - but would love to.
If I had been in the job 4 or 5 months I would have been to every business (and many downtown houses) met everyone and asked for their support and sent out an email to all downtown supporters introducing myself and asking if he could do anything for them. I went to the last First Friday (did not see him) but I did have a note under my door about a meeting (so he may have been to my door).
The director of the NDDA is a hard job - the pay is lousy and the downtown merchants can be difficult. However we do have one thing in common - we all love Natchez and we all support downtown.
We work hard, we expect the director to do as well.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Little extra information -
Apart from not being a "gal"
I own two downtown businesses, pay tax on 6 downtown properties and also live downtown.
While my business may not be considered important - I think I have been a good downtown citizen and I have been active within NDDA and the community.
I am sorry that I expect groups (the chamber and the NDDA) that want me to give them money to make an appearance in my business. I am currently not a member of either. I told the CEO of the chamber in her first month (early 2007?) to come see me and I would pay my dues - still waiting.
I would walk a few blocks for a hundred plus dollars.
Posted by unpredictable1 (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez1, No offence to calling you a gal, I really should have rephrased it. It seems that we are all on the same page when it comes to Natchez. Lets just pull together and make Natchez the place to visit. Apology to Natchez1.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who let Wal-mart build in Natchez?
The worst thing any small community can do is to let Wal-mart set up shop.
You don't believe me? Take a driving tour around the country...in every small town that once had a thriving downtown community, where on the outskirts of town is a brand new Wal-mart, there is also an empty heart.
Look at the Miss-Lou, there are three Wal-marts within 15 miles of one another sucking all the heart (and money) out of our rergion. What do they give back...low paying, part-time, no benefit jobs...wow! They flood the market and the economy with "crap" made in China and India, and fly the red, white and blue as their corporate colors.
I hate Wal-mart.
I think Wal-mart should fund the NDDA, and endow the communities it ruins with the funds to revitalize that which they have destroyed.
And if you think you're saving money shopping at Wal-mart, think again. It may cost a few dollars more to buy your groceries at Natchez Market, but what's your time worth? Mine is worth a lot more than the few dollars saved at Wallyworld when I spend 40 minutes in line waiting to check out. You may find a shirt for $8, but be sure and buy one two sizes larger than you need because you never know if it will fit you after you wash it once...or for that matter, still be in one piece, and be sure to wear a t-shirt under it because the dye they use in China and India is toxic.
I hate Wal-mart!
--mojo
Ps-- stay away from Walmart, support local business, not a bunch greedy hillbillies from Arkansas.
Posted by NAMVET (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totaly agree with all the negative inputs about Wal-Mart. Mr. Walden started his company with good intentions, his family, after his death, sold out. It is no longer owned or operated by a bunch of "hillbillies" !!!! If you would look deeper you will probably find that they are owned by Chinese investors!!!!!
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