NATCHEZ — The bridge economic developers are trying to build between Concordia Parish and Adams County isn’t made of steel and concrete.

It’s a bridge built of a common goal — bringing businesses to the area.

And on Tuesday, the Ferriday, Vidalia and Natchez-Adams County chambers of commerce are hosting an event to bring the Miss-Lou together with a luncheon — “Marketing Our Region.”

The idea began rather simply, over breakfast actually, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Hudson said.

A director from each chamber and Concordia Parish Economic Director Heather Malone were making easy conversation when they struck an idea.

“We talked about how we had similar assets and really there was no initiative to do something about this,” Hudson said. “So we decided to take it upon ourselves to see what we could to do build the bridge.”

First they decided to lead by example by joining forces, then they decided to bring in an expert economic developer.

Malone knew just who to call.

She had heard Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of Charlotte Regional Partnership, speak during an economic development course in Chapel Hill, N.C.

In Bryant’s case, his regional organization serves 12 counties in North Carolina and four counties in South Carolina.

“(Working across state lines is) a common thread that we have with them,” Malone said.

And she thought Bryant could lend some much-needed advice to the Miss-Lou.

“Regionalism is tough already, trying to cross county or parish lines,” Malone said. “Then we you look at the state line, then we have the barrier of the river — I thought he would be a good person to come talk to us.”

She said the line parish and county residents draw between the two areas in the community is nonexistent to potential developers.

“All of us live, work, play or shop on the other side — we do one or the other on the other side,” she said.

And having that kind of flow from community to community is actually appealing to developers.

“They don’t care where one parish starts or ends, they’re looking at the resources in the area,” Malone said.

And by knowing, understanding and marketing the entire region, there are many resources into which to tap.

Even lobbying to both state legislators and governors could be an overall benefit to the area, Malone said.

“Regionalism is such an important part of economic development that we have to jump on,” she said.

While the luncheon is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Vidalia Convention Center, a meeting of the various government officials in the area will take place Monday with Bryant.

Sponsors who have helped fund the event will be treated to a breakfast with Bryant Tuesday morning.

And Hudson said this is only the beginning of initiative to come together as a collective community.

“Our ultimate goal, which we’re going to make available quarterly, is a meeting with all local officials on both sides,” she said.