After a full day of interviews, board members searching for a new economic development leader were bushed, said Woody Allen.

&uot;It was a long day, and everyone was tired,&uot; said Allen, chairman of the Natchez-Adams Economic and Community Development Authority.

Board members met Friday to interview five candidates selected by consultant John Lovorn of the Pace Group in Tupelo. Allen had said earlier in the week that all five of the candidates had impressive resumes and, on paper, would be good choices. &uot;We’ve narrowed the five down to three, and now we have to decide whether to call all three back or not,&uot; he said.

The elimination process was not easy, he said. &uot;You could almost have closed your eyes and picked one.&uot;

What the board will try to determine next is which candidate fits Natchez best. &uot;Who will be the best here? Who is the one who will mesh with the Natchez area?&uot;

Allen said candidates had views about economic development similar to those the board had discussed before the interviewing began.

&uot;This is exciting and an important first step. I feel good that we’re going to find someone who fits.&uot;