NATCHEZ &045; Aldermen and county supervisors will meet at noon Wednesday at the convention center to set a direction for economic development.

The city pays $100,000 a year to fund the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority; the county, $175,000.

But some aldermen have discussed in recent months the possibility of the city hiring its own economic and community developer. That person, they said, could handle projects such as housing improvements as well as economic development.

Some aldermen also expressed concerns about what they believe is a lack of aggressive marketing of the city to businesses and developers.

Economic development has become a front-burner issue in recent years due to plant closings that cost the area thousands of jobs. Then, last month, EDA Director Michael Ferdinand resigned after almost four years on the job.

However, supervisors President Darryl Grennell recently said supervisors discussed the need to meet with the city on economic development.

&uot;I hope we can come up with a vision for economic development in Adams County,&uot; Grennell said. &uot;We’re wanting to see if the city will city hire their own (economic developer), or what they will do.&uot;

Mayor Phillip West said the meeting will be a forum for city and county officials to brainstorm all their options when it comes to economic development.

&uot;I’m looking for (the meeting to yield) decisions that will put us in a better position to acquire jobs for this area,&uot; West said.

In a meeting last month, aldermen said they also wanted to discuss the possibility of getting more county funding for recreation. They have also asked to discuss the interlocal agreement under which the city fights fires outside the city limits.