NATCHEZ &045; The board of the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority plans to begin interviewing finalists for executive director next week.

The board was set to review during a Wednesday executive session the 10 applications it has received for the position down to about three finalists, according to Chairman Woody Allen.

The position was advertised with the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Economic Development Council. Most, though not all, applications came from the South. At least one candidate is a Natchez native.

EDA board members would not divulge candidates’ names.

The board has not set a deadline for filling the position.

Also Wednesday, the board voted to pay engineering firm Jordan, Kaiser and Sessions $3,500 for work at the former International Paper Natchez mill site.

Allen said negotiations are ongoing to buy the site for use as industrial park land. &uot;The lawyers are still talking,&uot; Allen said, to iron out details of an agreement with IP and an industrial prospect EDA members have not been willing to name. &uot;IP’s been cooperative.&uot;