Lower Mississippi American Heritage River Navigator Robert Innes will speak at 10 a.m. today at the Team Cities meeting at Lady Luck Hotel.

The American Heritage Rivers Initiative offers communities the chance to get federal agency assistance, priority on economic development and small business grants and loans, and free federal training and assistance regarding historic, environmental and economic issues.

Although Mississippi chose not to take part in the federal program, both Natchez and Adams County can opt into the program through the Lower Mississippi American Heritage River Alliance.

The board of aldermen has expressed interest in joining the river alliance, while county supervisors chose to wait until they had more information.

In order to join the Lower Mississippi alliance, representatives from current member cities — New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La., and Memphis — can recommend areas to be designated to the Council on Environmental Quality, Johnston said. The chairman of the CEQ has to approve an area’s designation.

City Community Development Coordinator James Johnston has said Natchez and Adams County need the support of Mississippi’s Congressional delegation in order to take part.

He said the city has asked members of the delegation not to oppose its efforts to opt into the alliance.

Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown has said the project could give Natchez a better opportunity for federal grants.

One project Brown hopes could get funding is riverfront development.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is already working on a bank stabilization project which would reclaim Water Street along the river.

City officials hope to turn the 1-mile property into a riverside park.

The public is invited to today’s meeting, which is sponsored by Entergy.