NATCHEZ &045;&045; The ink is on the paper.

Members of the Adams County Board of Supervisors and officials representing Venco signed the paperwork Thursday saying the metal fabrication company will proceed with plans to open a new plant in the county.

Venco Chief Executive Officer Gary Ventrella said the next step is to get the necessary funding to proceed.

The company, based in Baton Rouge, will offer a minimum of 50 jobs for the residents of Natchez and Adams County.

Wages for Venco workers would be at least twice minimum wage.

Venco would be located at the Adams County Port, a boost for that facility which has struggled somewhat since International Paper closed its doors last summer.

Natchez Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith was on hand to witness the signing of several stacks of paperwork Thursday afternoon.

&uot;This has been a cooperative effort,&uot; Smith said.

&uot;These are the sorts of results we hoped would come.

I want to say to the EDA (Economic Development Association) how much we appreciate your work.&uot;

Supervisor S.E. &uot;Spanky&uot; Felter also thanked the EDA board and welcomed Ventrella to town.

&uot;We want you to feel at home here,&uot; Felter said.

&uot;I feel like this will be your home and you’ll love it.&uot;

EDA Executive Director Michael Ferdinand said the county will continue to work to pin down the details and acquire state incentives for work that needs to be done at the proposed Venco site.