NATCHEZ — With the new year comes new opportunities to learn about local leadership, racial reconciliation in Mississippi and what to expect for the upcoming tax season and beyond.

From 8 to 9 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company on Franklin Street, the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, Alcorn State University and the coffee shop will begin a new year of its popular Friday Forum series.

This Friday, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell and other city officials will give forum participants an update on the city and the issues facing residents.

Grennell said the presentation by the city would include updates on plans to improve city infrastructure, effort to build a dock at Natchez Under-the-Hill and FOR Natchez’s upcoming plan for downtown.

Grennell said, Community Development Director James Johnston and Natchez City Planner Riccardo Giani also plan to be at the meeting to provide an update from their offices.

Chamber President Debbie Hudson said the Natchez Board of Aldermen has also been invited to the forum.

Started more than six-years ago, Friday Forum has become a way to keep the community informed about area issues and events. Hudson said.

“The chamber is all about education,” Hudson said. “As such, the forum is a way to involve some of the community with current topics of discussion.”

Recently, Hudson said she and other organizers have focused on providing discussion forums where community members can ask questions.

“We want to be able to get feedback from the community, to engage people,” Hudson said. “Having a great conversation is what we are trying to do.”

Other forums planned for January include a discussion with Mission Mississippi founder Dolphus Weary on Jan.  12 and an Adams County government update on Jan. 19.

The last forum of the month on Jan. 26 will be about what taxpayers can do to get ready for the 2017 tax season and what to expect for 2018 after Congress passed the most recent tax overhaul in December.

“That one ought to be real interesting,” Hudson said.