NATCHEZ — A private prison on U.S. 84 is the first big project to come to Adams County in years, but it won’t be the last, the governor says.

Gov. Haley Barbour’s message at Thursday’s groundbreaking for the future site of Corrections Corporation of America’s new facility was one of hope.

“I believe that this is the start of what is going to be a rebuilding, not just in Natchez and Adams County, but in all of Southwest Mississippi, and you couldn’t have a better partner to start with,” he said.

Barbour, who supported efforts to bring the facility to Adams County, was enthusiastic about the $105 million project.

The governor’s hometown of Yazoo City plays host to three federal prisons, and Barbour said a county couldn’t ask for a better industry.

“There’s no pollution and they don’t have recessions,” Barbour said with a laugh.

Good work conditions and good pay, among other things, made the industry good for Adams County, he said.

Barbour also presented Adams County Supervisors President Darryl Grennell with official approval of a $3.9 million federal grant toward the sewer and water infrastructure, which will be provided for the facility.

Natchez Water Works will provide sewer to the facility, and nonprofit Adams County Water Association will provide water.

The city and county worked together to secure the federal grant money.

Grennell said he completely agrees with Barbour’s assessment of the area’s future.

“We’ve got several projects we’re working on,” Grennell said.

The future CCA facility sends a message that Adams County is moving forward economically, he said.

“It’s going to be a snowball effect, and we might as well prepare for it,” Grennell said. “Adams County has got its work cut out for it. We’ve got a lot of economic prosperity coming.”

Natchez Mayor Phillip West said the project, as well as the possibility of future projects, created optimism.

“This represents a step in the right direction on the road to industrial recovery in Adams County,” West said. “This and other things happening will fuel the economy for southwest Mississippi.”

Mississippi Sen. Kelvin Butler, D, Magnolia said he was glad to have Barbour’s help recruiting industry.

Butler said he and his fellow legislators intended “to hold the governor to the fire” on his promise of more good things to come.

CCA, a Nashville-based private corrections company, committed in April to locate at the site.

The company hopes to have the facility completed by October 2008, Marketing and Communications Vice President Louise Grant said.

Once the facility is completed, the company will bring in a few veteran CCA employees but will hire mostly locals, she said.

The company decided to build the facility before it received a contract from the federal government.

Grant said the company was very confident it would receive a contract.

“We don’t know exactly when or what, but we know the demand is out there,” she said.