NATCHEZ — The final of three public forums led by the regionalism steering committee will be Thursday in Natchez.

The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Natchez Community Center, 215 Franklin St. Members of the steering committee — elected officials and businessmen —will field questions from the public.

The committee has been meeting for approximately seven months to create a regional economic development effort, said Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton, who is a member of the committee. Officials believe marketing Ferriday, Vidalia and Natchez as one region will make the area more attractive to businesses and industry.

The public is invited to attend and share ideas, Middleton said.

“I think (the public) should come and be aware of what has gone on with this committee over the last seven months,” Middleton said. “It’s quite an undertaking to put something of this magnitude together, and we want (the public) to be a part of it.”