Interviews with five candidates will be held nonstop today, as the Natchez-Adams County Economic and Community Development Authority searches for a new director.

On Wednesday, board members met to review resumes of the candidates, who were selected by EDA consultant John Lovorn of the Pace Group in Tupelo.

&uot;We went through the book and looked closely at all of them,&uot; said Woody Allen, chairman of the EDA board. &uot;They are all very good, very well-educated people. They all have successful track records.&uot;

Each candidate will meet with the board for a little more than an hour, Allen said. &uot;I don’t know that we’ll make a decision right after the interviews, but we will discuss what we heard.&uot;

Allen said the candidates include four men and one woman. All were selected either from Mississippi or close by.

&uot;John, after reviewing everything, said that most people want to move within the state or just across the state line,&uot; Allen said. &uot;So the candidates are concentrated within that region.&uot;

On paper, the board could select any of the five and be pleased, Allen said. &uot;So far, we’ve seen just the resumes. On paper, they’re all very well qualified.&uot;

The candidates range in age from about 40 to 50, he said. &uot;They are past the start-up stage and pretty much in the prime of their careers.&uot;

No time limit has been set for making the final selection. The board may elect to call back one or more of the five candidates or may ask Lovorn to send additional candidates.

&uot;We feel John did a super job in his efforts to find the best candidates. He researched many references and leads.&uot;

Allen said board members have high hopes for successful interviews. &uot;All we can do now is see what comes out of the interviews. I feel we’ll end the day feeling excited but also confused.&uot;