NATCHEZ &045; County and economic development officials got a warm welcome from the area’s congressional delegation during last week’s trip to Washington, D.C., supervisors said Tuesday.

County supervisors, Economic Development Authority Director Michael Ferdinand and supervisors attorney Bob Latham visited with representatives of U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-3rd District, Sen. Thad Cochran and Sen. Trent Lott.

On the trip, supervisors inquired about the status of $300,000 in federal money from Cochran’s discretionary fund for the Economic Development Authority.

&uot;I feel like we did really well&uot; in the county’s presentation to those offices, Supervisor Sammy Cauthen said. &uot;Of course, they can’t give us an answer right away (on the funding), but they have people working on it. And we got a good reception.&uot;

Supervisor S.F. &uot;Spanky&uot; Felter said that, while details are confidential, officials did ask for some assistance to land industrial prospects.

Felter added that he was impressed by Ferdinand’s presentation to federal officials and by his contacts on the federal level.

&uot;He let them know what shape we’re in, that we have some of the highest unemployment in the nation,&uot; Felter said.

&uot;But he also let them know we’re the hub of seven counties and three parishes, and that if they help us they’re helping all of southwest Mississippi and northeast Louisiana.&uot;

Felter said Latham also made an impressive presentation regarding the incentives and other amenities Adams County has to offer industries.

Supervisors also made the case for expanding the federal Renewal Community designation that covers north Adams County to other industrial sites.

That would make those sites eligible for a number of tax credits and other incentives for producing jobs.

Supervisors President Darryl Grennell could not be reached for comment Tuesday.