Congratulations to Natchez Inc. chief Chandler Russ and his board, the Adams County Board of Supervisors, the City of Natchez and local businesses who support Natchez Now on successfully luring and closing the deal to bring Delta-Energy Group to Natchez.

That company announced plans to develop 91 jobs in Natchez at a facility here, located on part of the site that once was home to International Paper Co.

Delta-Energy’s business is reclaiming materials from scrap tires, producing carbon solids and hydrocarbon liquids, which are used in making rubber compounds. The company plans to make a $45 million investment, including $3.75 million for a building and 30 acres of land, both of which are currently owned by Adams County taxpayers. The move will reduce the debt load on the county as well as put the property back on the tax rolls.

Russ said the compensation of the jobs Delta-Energy will bring to Natchez average $54,000 per year per job.

Natchezians, by nature, are skeptical. We have reason to be. We have suffered some missteps in our efforts to attract manufacturers to the former IP site and replace the many good jobs it and other former heavy manufacturers provided here.

However, it seems each was a learning opportunity.

Delta-Energy had other sites on which it could have chosen to build its facility. The company chose Natchez for a variety of reasons — reasons which will continue to attract other manufacturers to our to our area.

Adams County and Natchez leaders involved have reason to celebrate, as does our community.