NATCHEZ — Mayor Jake Middleton has announced his candidacy for re-election as mayor of the City of Natchez.

Middleton has served as mayor the past four years. Under his administration, there have been $25 million in projects that are under construction or have been completed. Some of these include Wastewater treatment plant upgrade, over $3 million in street overlays, trails project, regional transportation facility, North Natchez Drainage project and many more.

Middleton established the IT department through the Mayor’s Action Committee on Technology. The new Springbrook accounting system was purchased to improve our accounting for the city and make reports more readily available for departments. Middleton has actively participated in the restructuring of the EDA to what it is now, Natchez Inc. While working together with the county and Natchez Inc., six new industries have located to Natchez and Adams County. This will provide more than 700 new, permanent jobs for the community.

Middleton said he feels there are several projects the city must continue to work toward completing over the next four years; creating a street program for overlaying and maintaining our city streets; continuing to consolidate city and county services; construction of a Natchez-Adams County recreation complex; and, offering law enforcement employees a salary that is competitive with other cities and counties throughout the state.

Middleton is a 1969 graduate of Natchez-Adams County High School and a 1973 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He is an active member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, where he has several key leadership positions. He has served as a member of the administrative board, chairman of the stewardship committee, and chairman of the ushers. He has also served as president of the Adams County Chapter of the USM Alumni Association and president of the Big Gold Club.

He is married to Dr. Mitzi Ferguson and they are the parents of four children, Leslie and her husband Bryan; Wes and his wife Lauren, Evan and Kerry. He is the proud grandfather of four, Ella Wesley, Lucy, Jake and Adele.

He is the president and owner of Big M Supply Company.

Editor’s Note: This political announcement was submitted by the candidate.