Business breeds business.

And in Natchez it seems business is booming.

The Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce picked a fine time to have its annual dinner — a week highlighted by the opening of the federal courthouse and the Liberty Road bridge.

Their location was equally as perfect — in a building shadowed by a majestic new convention center hotel that sits down the road from a trio of other under-construction hotels.

Dinner guests represented the future of Adams County well — Rentech managers, Corrections Corporations of America leaders and those behind the scenes at the Hampton Inn.

And, despite all the hopes, dreams and plans for the future of business in Natchez, the chamber didn’t forget the companies and the people that have been around the block for a few years.

Kelly’s Kids owner Lynn James won Woman of the Year. Callon Petroleum was named the Business of the Year. These two businesses have carried Natchez through the thick and the thin and are to be commended for their work. Natchez Regional Medical Center’s Kay Ketchings was named Natchezian of the Year.

Those in attendance couldn’t help but leave the dinner feeling upbeat and positive about our community.

But the businesses in Natchez have to come together for more than one fancy meal a year if our town hopes to truly thrive. The chamber of commerce preaches unity, and we know Natchez can practice just that.

With all of our efforts, working together to develop the business community, our community will be unstoppable. Business won’t just seem to boom, it will boom.