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By

JOAN GANDY

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ &045; Amber Warren appreciates the importance of tourism in her hometown Natchez. In fact, as information officer and researcher at the Historic Natchez Foundation, she is involved in tourism directly or indirectly every day.

&uot;Tourism is a big part of Natchez,&uot; she said. &uot;But it’s like tourism and regular industry are fighting each other. We all have to work together.&uot;

Cooperation was key to success in Ashland, Ore., a city the same size as Natchez and profiled in the Sunday edition of The Democrat. In Ashland, a coming together with one purpose led to a big boost in tourism and, with it, opportunities to enhance the city’s quality of life.

In Ashland, downtown buildings sat empty, with boards covering doors and windows 20 years ago. Today, the downtown is a thriving hub of activity, luring 360,000 visitors a year. People there took ownership of the town.

That city now looks ahead to attracting high-tech industries, with infrastructure including a city-owned high-speed data network encircling Ashland.

Empty dilapidated buildings in the historic Natchez downtown make her sad, Warren said. &uot;But we’re working on it.&uot;

She appreciates the numbers of new residents moving to Natchez to retire. But she wants more.

Events such as the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race and regular events sponsored by the foundation and the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce provide opportunities to meet new people, she said. Still, there should be more.

Warren, 27 and single, finds Natchez a good place to live but hopes more young people will remain in the city and come as new residents. She believes Natchez has much to offer young families &045; if there are jobs.

&uot;We need to bring more industry, to bring new people,&uot; she said. &uot;Natchez is a great place to live and a great place to bring up a family.&uot;

A native of Natchez, Warren left after high school graduation. &uot;I wanted to flee Natchez,&uot; she said. &uot;I wanted to see more cultures.&uot;

After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, however, she could hardly wait to get home.

With her degree in art history, she found a dream job at the Historic Natchez Foundation. Now she wants her hometown to grow to meet all its potential.

&uot;My friends said, ‘are you crazy leaving the city and going back to that little town,’ but I’m so glad I did,&uot; she said.

Warren hopes Natchez tourism will continue to grow. She would like to see more African-American participation.

&uot;I really enjoyed being in the pageant when I was in high school and dancing with Natchez Ballet Academy,&uot; she said, referring to the Historic Natchez Pageant performed during Spring Pilgrimage. &uot;I’d like to see more African-American participation in the pageant.&uot;

Bringing blacks and whites together in tourism efforts will pay big dividends, she said. &uot;I believe race relations would be better. I think we have to have people who are open minded and willing to try new things.&uot;