Leaders

from

Adams

County and Concordia Parish are reaching across the Mississippi River to join together for an economic development effort.

Mayors

from

Vidalia,

Natchez

and Ferriday will welcome Louisiana Gov. Kathleen

Blanco and lawmakers from both states for an economic development conference April 7.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is also invited to the meeting.

The

idea

is

to

lay the groundwork for a possible economic development agreement between both states, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said.

The

conference

is in part the result of a meeting the three mayors held earlier this year, but Copeland said the idea of partnering the communities has been around for a while.

&uot;Several years ago we started talking about this, but it never really got off the ground,&uot; Copeland said.

Creating a regional economic development effort is a natural fit for the neighboring county and parish, Copeland said.

Both communities often feel somewhat left out by their respective states, he said.

&uot;We

are

almost

at

the tail end, and Natchez is at the tail end, too,&uot; Copeland said.

Concordia Economic Development Director Teresa Dennis is working with Natchez-Adams EDA Director Mike Ferdinand to plan the April meeting.

Ferdinand said he did not know yet whether Barbour would be able to attend.

But Ferdinand said the opportunity for both states to partner would be beneficial for the area.

&uot;Development is regional,&uot;

Ferdinand said.

&uot;Often companies find it frustrating that we place a boundary on them.&uot;

Mississippi has

already partnered in a similar regional economic development with Alabama, to benefit the Meridian area. At

that

time, Mississippi already had legislation in place that allowed for such a move. Alabama had to pass legislation to legalize the agreement.

Ferdinand said Natchez and Vidalia are unique in Mississippi and Louisiana because the two communities are so close to each other. Although he

could

not

elaborate, Ferdinand said there are &uot;some opportunities to be had&uot; by having the two states partner now.

Lawmakers from both states will be invited to the meeting as well.

&uot;If we can get this started, we’ll be showing them we’re trying to help ourselves,&uot; Copeland said.

Copeland

said he hopes the April 7 meeting is just the first step in the process. &uot;We

want

to

join

together

everyone from in this region,

and get the private sector involved &045; the bankers and business leaders,&uot; he said.

&uot;We’re going to work hand in hand. Š It’s going to take time, but we’re going in the right direction.&uot;