After much discussion and a close vote, the Adams County Board of Supervisors agreed to publish the interests of two companies looking at locating a correctional facility in Adams County.

The motion to publish, a legal requirement for any potential correctional facility in the state, passed 3-2, with Supervisors F.E. “Spanky” Felter and Henry Watts voting against the motion.

The notice must spell out the location, nature and size of the facility, the type of inmates and the identity of the company.

One company, The GEO Group, is said to be considering a location at the Natchez-Adams County Airport.

The other, Corrections Corporation of America, is considering a tract of private land along U.S. 84 in northeast Adams County. CCA is also considering a site in Pike County and has just started looking at a location in Walthall County.

Both companies are competing for a federal contract to house minimum-security prisoners.

Watts said he did not like the county airport location The GEO Group was considering.

Felter said he wanted to wait until after a public hearing, scheduled for Feb. 21, before a notice was published.

In Monday’s meeting, representatives from both companies stressed the urgency of starting the process. The publication must run for three weeks, and, among other things, the companies want to take advantage of economic incentives offered by the GO-Zone, deadlines for which are fast approaching.

After publication, if a certain number of Adams County residents sign a petition, the county must hold a vote on the issue.

The GEO Group was early on the agenda. They requested publication, but the board voted 4-1, with Supervisor Sammy Cauthen voting against, to hold a public hearing.

CCA was nearly last on the agenda. After much discussion about who would be housed and the timelines at play, the board agreed to publish the interests of both companies.

Attorney Walter Brown, locally representing CCA, said he was surprised at the company’s position on the agenda.

“On Jan. 26, I asked to be on the agenda to ask the board to adopt a resolution to but the (issue) before the people,” Brown said. “I’ve been asking to be on the agenda for some time. I was a little shocked to see GEO on the agenda and that the board took action before hearing both sides.”

In other business:

4The board appointed David Carter as new extension service director.

4Residents of Robbins Lake Road asked the board to do something about the condition of the lake’s dam, which they said is deteriorating and doesn’t drain well. Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said the board would contact the government entity heading the repairs and ask them that it be “taken care of as expeditiously as possible.”

4Representatives from Adams County Water Association asked the board’s support in applying to the state for exclusive rights to certain areas in the county they already serve. The board agreed.

4The grand opening for the helipad behind Natchez Regional Medical Center will be Feb. 13, Airport Manager Clint Pomeroy said.

4Veterans Service Officer Erle Drane asked for volunteer drivers for the van that in the next few months will transports veterans to and from a Jackson hospital.