NATCHEZ &045; There has been a lot of verbal support for an interpretive center at the Forks of the Road, but little financial support.

The $10 million bond request proposed by Mayor Phillip West for downtown development has died twice in the legislature.

&uot;The interpretive center was a part of that $10 million,&uot; West said.

The center will be a place where people can learn about the history of Natchez from the times and struggles of Native Americans to the fight during the Civil Rights movement. The new building placed at the Forks of the Road has been discussed since the beginning of West’s term in office.

&uot;This is a chance for people to study a subject matter that’s not studied often enough,&uot; West said.

West and other supporters are looking for federal, state and private funding for the center.

&uot;It’s an easy saleable idea on a federal and state level,&uot; he said.

No one has stepped up with any money proposals or donations for the project. West said no one has opposed the idea of the center.

Mimi Miller, director of preservation and education at the Historic Natchez Foundation, said she thinks the interpretative center would bring more income to the community.

Miller considered the center as another tourist attraction.

&uot;Our history is what makes us unique,&uot; she said.

Miller said she sees the promotion of minority history in Natchez as a good moral and economic standpoint.

&uot;It’s the right thing to do,&uot; she said.

Miller said that the white community didn’t try to present that section of history, while blacks were too busy in the struggle to dedicate a place for their history, like the interpretive center.

She thinks the center will bring in a broader range of job opportunities.

&uot;Black and white have obstacles for industry jobs,&uot; Miller said.

Miller said the center would strengthen the economy to attract more business, especially more black owned businesses.

&uot;We need to build on what we know we have (history), because we know it’ll work,&uot; Miller said.