Adams County residents will have a chance to voice opinions and satisfy their curiosity at a Tuesday’s 9 a.m. public hearing on two correctional facility companies looking to locate here.

Two of the largest such companies, GEO, Inc., and Corrections Corporation of America, are vying for a government contract to house federal prisoners.

If whichever company wins locates the facility in Adams County, it will house low- to moderate-level security inmates.

The county board of supervisors voted to advertise the fact that the companies were looking at locating in the county, a required step under state law.

In addition, they voted to hold the public hearing to field questions. Representatives from both companies will be present to answer questions and receive feedback.

Supervisor S.E. “Spanky” Felter made the motion that the supervisors should hold the hearing.

“We work for the people,” Felter said. “They need to know what they’re getting in the community. They’ve got to live around it. And if they’re satisfied, I’m satisfied.”

If residents aren’t satisfied, they can collect signatures for a petition. If they gather a certain number of signatures and present the petition to the board of supervisors, the county must hold an election to decide if they approve of a facility locating in the county. If there are no problems, the company can go ahead as planned.

GEO is looking at locating on county land at the Natchez-Adams County Airport, which would require a few extra steps before construction could begin.

CCA is looking at a tract of land along U.S. 84 in the northeast part of the county. They are also considering the possibility of locating in Pike County instead.

Spokesmen for both companies said they would have representatives at the public hearing to answer questions.

“We will have representatives there to speak to different aspects we will be proposing,” CCA spokesman Steve Owen said. “We’ve made it clear from the onset that an important factor is to assess community support. We want to be upfront with folks.”

GEO Vice President of Business Development Cloid Shuler said he would be at the hearing.

“You want to make sure the public is fully informed about the opportunity for jobs to Adams County and the City of Natchez,” Shuler said.

“There’s always some concern when you’re bringing a correctional facility to a community. We’ll spend as much time as we need to make sure the public is fully informed.”

The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the county supervisors’ building on State Street.