When the International Paper mill closed in Natchez, the Miss-Lou faced an uncertain future.

A year later, what has changed? Many IP workers have found new jobs &045;&045; although not always in ideal circumstances. They may be making more but commuting two to three hours a day, leaving family behind; they may have been lucky to find employment in Natchez, only at half or a third of what they made before.

The county, city and school system are making budgets that must cope with far less money because of the loss of tax revenue from IP &045;&045; and elected officials must consider whether to raise taxes to offset some of those losses. We have difficult times ahead, but we knew that a year ago.

It can be hard to see through our fears for the future, but we are moving forward.

We have not yet landed any large new industries, but strides have been made in economic development. While an effort at an employee buyout of the IP mill failed, the county is working on a plan to buy the land for an industrial park.

Across the river, Vidalia has earned more than $1.5 million in grants toward its own industrial park and slackwater port, which could help land an industry with which the town is in negotiations. Such a project would help the entire Miss-Lou, since prospective employees would come from both sides of the river.

Whether we succeed is going to depend upon the attitude of the community’s leadership &045;&045; and the attitude of the community itself.

We have a long way to go, but we knew that when IP closed its doors.

Where will we be one year from now?