Several months ago, our Economic Development Authority hired an Executive Director to work toward bringing economic development to our area. I assume he is still with the EDA, although I never read nor hear of anything he is doing. I don’t mean this in a negative sense. What I am trying to understand is why aren’t we aware of what he is doing? When Michael Ferdinand was the Executive Director, we read about his undertakings quite often.

When our local officials go to Washington, D.C. or other cities to court industrial prospects, I never read where the EDA is in their entourage. Why isn’t this? From what I understand we have the city and the county both involved in economic development, and this being the case why do we need the EDA? Does the city, county, and EDA all work with separate agendas? If the city and county work separately for development, then what does that leave the EDA doing?

I am just trying to understand what role each plays in the big picture for Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi.

Jim Sanders

Natchez resident