NATCHEZ — Projects designed to help education, economic development and the environment — including two here in Natchez — are receiving a boost from Entergy.

“I’m very pleased to announce that PROJECT SEE, National Coalition of 100 Black Women —Southwest Mississippi Chapter and Antebellum Art and Architecture and Trinity Episcopal Day School have been selected to receive a 2007 Entergy Mississippi Community Partnership Grant,” said Stephen Caruthers, customer service manager for Entergy in Natchez.

“There were dozens of entries, and all of them were great projects. For PROJECT SEE and Antebellum Art and Architecture to be selected, they had to meet some very high standards,” he said.

More than $29,000 in grant money is being awarded to projects in Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service territory. The winners were announced recently at a luncheon in Jackson.

Caruthers said helping fund the 41 projects is part of Entergy’s ongoing commitment to invest in the communities it serves. The grant program, now in its 18th year, provides up to $1,000 to efforts that promote education and literacy, community improvement and enrichment, healthy families, and arts and culture. Selected community organization will use the grant as “seed money” and seek additional funds and volunteers to assist the project.

“We went to Mississippi to be better,” he said. “We want our schools to improve. We want our existing businesses to grow and exceed, and we want new businesses to locate here. This can happen only if we all work together to build a better future.”

Other selections announced at the luncheon in Jackson include:

4 A program to advance math and reading skills in Vicksburg

4 A community job fair in Mound Bayou

4 A recycling program in Hernando

4 A food program for the elderly in Greenville

4 A drug abuse and violence prevention program in Jackson

An advisory panel of experts in education and community service selected the winning programs. In choosing winners, judges carefully considered the applicants’ approach, objectives, benefits and participation.

“The selection process is always difficult,” said John Mullins, vice president of customer operations for Entergy Mississippi. “There are so many deserving groups in our service area performing small miracles every day.”

The Community Partnership Grants program is part of Entergy’s tradition to provide support to improve communities through economic and community development activities and contributions. Details on how to apply for next year’s grants will be announced at a later date.

CUTLINE (WITH PHOTO)

Stephen Caruthers, Entergy Customer Service Manager in Natchez, presents a check to Betty Sago, Grant Writer for PROJECT SEE.