NATCHEZ — Local businesses will offer a variety of specials Wednesday in hopes that customers will spend $20 on the 20th.

Adams County and Concordia Parish residents — all 38,671 that are 18 years and older — are encouraged to get out of the house, celebrate spring and spend at least $20 at a local business.

A turnout that large could pump $773,420 back into our local economy.

Area businesses have partnered with The Natchez Democrat to make Wednesday all about $20 on the 20th.

Some area stores will have special $20 sales on select items, while others will offer 20-percent off specials on select items. A full list of specials will be featured in the Wednesday edition of The Democrat.

Residents can spend their $20 at a gas station, grocery store or gift shop and make a huge difference in the local economy, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Hudson said.

“Residents should buy local, play local and do everything local,” Hudson said. “If you can buy the same item here, why not do it here and save the gas doing it?

“It’s just great commerce to support each other’s businesses and the community.”

Money spent locally also fuels governmental services such as police and fire protections and roadwork.

If every Adams County resident spent an additional $20 in Natchez Wednesday, the City of Natchez would receive a $6,228 boost in sales tax revenues; the state of Mississippi would get a much higher boon.

If each Concordia Parish resident spent $20 in Vidalia the town would get $7,311, the school board would get $5,848.80 and Riverland Medical Center would get $731.10. The same would apply to each government respectively if every resident spent their $20 entirely in the parish or entirely in Ferriday.

“We need to help each other, and that’s what local commerce is all about,” Hudson said. “If you spend it here, it stays here.”

Area chambers and businesses have promoted shop-at-home programs more heavily during recent tough economic times, and it’s beginning to work, Hudson said.

“Especially more today than ever before when we’re concerned about our government and the economy, why not take care of ourselves?” Hudson said. “Help us continue to be successful.”

For more information on the $20 on the 20th deals, see Wednesday’s edition of The Democrat.