NATCHEZ &045; James Johnston, the city’s community development director, has resigned effective Feb. 21 to lead community outreach efforts in Claiborne County.

Johnston, who has worked for the city since June 1999, has been involved in various roles in securing more than $11.86 million in grants for recreation, public works, social services, beautification, housing and fire equipment.

In his new position, Johnston will be responsible for grant writing, but to a lesser extent.

Instead, he will serve more as a community outreach arm of county government and will help to locate untapped markets for economic development.

Johnston’s position will not be filled, at least until city officials can better determine the effects the closing of Johns Manville, the planned shutdown of International Paper and other economic woes will have on the city’s budget, said Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith.

The decision to leave his current post was a difficult one. After all, it was rewarding, he admitted, to have had a hand in making projects as varied as the Oak Towers shelter, the renovation of the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center and the HOME loan program happen.

In addition, he has worked on funding for some Adams County projects, including improvements to the Natchez-Adams County Port.

And Smith and Natchez aldermen, at the Board of Aldermen’s Tuesday meeting, expressed regret that Johnston was leaving, especially given the projects he helped make happen.

Johnston, who will commute from Natchez to Port Gibson, said he looks forward to professional growth in his new position as Claiborne County’s executive director of community development outreach.

&uot;It may not have always been shown, but I appreciate the mayor and Board of Aldermen going out on a limb to hire me in 1999,&uot; Johnston said.

&uot;I’ve enjoyed it here under the former and current administrations.&uot;

&uot;This Šwas a difficult decision for me,&uot; he said. &uot;But I’m looking forward to this new opportunity. It’s a challenge I hope to be able to meet.&uot;