As the chief executive officer of one of the largest private employers in our county, I tend to look at this prison debate first from a business perspective. In our county, one that has lost several of its major employers over that past several years, attracting and retaining business is particularly important.

Several days ago, I enjoyed a conversation with Jack Sours, vice president and general manager of the Isle of Capri Casino, the largest private employer in Natchez. Jack discussed that prior to moving to Natchez, he lived within 5 miles of a federal prison in Lakewood, Colo.

There is no negative effect in that community caused by the prison. In fact, a golf course runs parallel to the prison and there is not even a fence between the two. It is difficult to come up with many negatives when an employer is willing to invest $90 million in facilities and equipment with an annual payroll of $10 million, which will employ 300 people at an average annual salary of $33,000.

I also enjoyed a similar conversation with Sue Stedman, a former Natchez alderman and vice president of Crye-Leike Stedman Realtors, one of the largest and oldest real estate agencies in Adams County.

Sue sees a prison as the same opportunity for Adams County that Jack and I see, a major employer and taxpayer interested in investing in our community. Few people in Natchez share the insight that Sue Stedman has when it comes to the positive impact a corporate taxpayer of this magnitude would have on the city and county. Sue has shared that she believes this will be tremendously positive for the entire area.

The third person with whom I discussed this issue was Page Ogden, president and chief executive officer of Britton & Koontz Bank. Page and I discussed the potential negative perception this might create for our community. Page brought up one of the most famous prison towns in our country, San Quentin, Calif., directly across the bay from San Francisco.

This is a community that despite being a “prison town,” enjoys some of the highest property values in our country. They also enjoy a very strong tourism industry that includes a prison museum.

I am encouraged by the support and focus that our local elected leaders give to the goal of attracting and retaining business in our community.

One of the tools our elected leaders possess is the authority to act quickly and decisively to improve our community. Bringing this employer to our community will require this action.

I would like our local elected leaders to know that from my perspective as the chief executive officer of Natchez Community Hospital, and after a great dialogue with Natchez business leaders, I see a new prison in Adams County as a positive thing and support quick decisive action to bring this employer to our community.

Tim Trottier

Natchez Resident