NATCHEZ — After spending five days in Washington D.C., Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said he has nothing but good news to report back to Natchez.

As the city prepares for its tricentennial year, Brown said he and other city officials have been busy meeting with national leaders and planning events to ensure the city celebrates its 300th birthday in style.

Community Development Director James Johnston and Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kevin Kirby accompanied Brown on his trip.

While in D.C., Brown said he accomplished the following:

-Formalized approximately 10 tricentennial events with the U.S. Navy

-Met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to request more docking space at Natchez Under-the-Hill

-Met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation to discuss securing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recover (TIGER) grants to assist with renovations to the Natchez Railway system, which runs from Brookhaven to Natchez

-Met with Spanish and French ambassadors to finalize their participation in the tricentennial celebration

-Met with government officials concerning transferring the Forks of the Road site to the National Park Service

-Talked with the culinary arts division of the U.S. Navy about the possibility of hosting a cooking challenge between Navy chefs and Natchez chefs

-Met with Jerry Abramson, director of intergovernmental affairs for the White House, to discuss the possibility of the first family visiting Natchez during the tricentennial

-Spoke with Virginia-based attorney Robert Lubin about renovations to the Eola Hotel

Brown said he doesn’t have a specific number yet, but approximated that the city has already raised more than a million dollars for the tricentennial year.

“It was an extremely successful trip,” Brown said.