Economic Development in Natchez, MS

An abundant labor force, excellent transportation network, readily available land and buildings for business relocation and expansion, as well as a strong economic development plan all combine to make Natchez a place that offers amazing potential for growth and success.

Workforce

A ready supply of labor is not a problem in the Natchez area. Statistics show that the area’s labor supply is growing faster than both the state and national averages.

Thanks to its industrial history, the Natchez – Adams County area has a pocket of skilled labor that is unusually large for a community of its size – in all, an area workforce of about 72,310.

The workers in the Natchez area are also well educated. About 21.1% have college degrees; 73.4% of Adams County residents are high school graduates.

Career training and advancement is easily available to Natchez area residents.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) has a Workforce Development Center that provides workforce development support for new, existing, and expanding businesses and industries in the state. The Center offers programs and services designed to assist individuals and companies in meeting the challenges of a changing workplace. These services include on-site customized training, industry or firm-related pre-employment training, and basic skills classes.

Size

• Approximately 13,150
• 17.5% of Adams County residents have degrees
• 73.4% of Adams County residents are high school graduates

Local Training Sources

• Alcorn State University (Lorman, MS and Natchez Campus)
• Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Income

In 2004 Adams County had a per capita person income (PCPI) of $23,271. This ranked 26th in the state and was 95 percent of the state average, and 70 percent of the national average. This PCPI reflected an increase of 4.9% from 2003.

In 2004 Adams County had a total personal income (TPI) of $755,064. This TPI ranked 26th in the state and accounted for 1.1% of the state total. This TPI reflected an increase of 2.5% from 2003.

Workforce Development

Residents have easy access to advanced industrial and computer training. Through the State's Tech Prep initiative Program, new technical and vocational trade courses are being offered to local high school students and at the Natchez branch Copiah-Lincoln Community Colleges. These classes provide the basics of industry-specific training to students.

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Major Employers

Wages

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Transportation

Our port, railways, roads, airport, and available sites are strategically located in Southwest Mississippi on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River with easy access to regional metropolitan areas.

Highways

• U.S. Highways 61, 84 and 98 intersect in Natchez, connect directly with Memphis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Mobile
• Natchez Trace Parkway, scenic National Historic Site, originates in Natchez and terminates in Nashville

Mississippi River

Located at mile 360 on the Mississippi River, the Natchez-Adams County Port has provided dependable service to destinations throughout the world for over 30 years. From our port, cargo can be shipped directly to Europe, Latin America and the Far East via LASH barge in both high and low water conditions, as well as all destinations along the Mississippi River and the United States. Intracoastal waterways are accessible from Natchez. Our port is served by Canadian National Illinois Central Railroad on a daily basis. The port has a U-shaped dock and liquid loading dock. The Natchez-Adams County Port has a 400 ft. berthing area with two pedestal mounted cranes. A conveyor designed for bottom dump hopper rail cars can unload directly to each barge. The Port's forklifts range from 4,500 to 15,500 pound capacity. Also on site are a 9TM Whitney Track-mobile, a 45 yard hopper, and a six yard light weight re-hauling bucket. Roll clamp trucks range from 4,500 to 12,000 pound capacity. The Natchez Port has 100,000 sq. ft. of covered warehouse on site and 500,000 sq. ft. of climate controlled private warehouse space within the Port Industrial Park, which are both connected by rail.

Air

The Natchez-Adams County Airport is operated twenty-four hours a day and is primarily a general aviation airport that is capable of handling air carrier charter flights in addition to corporate and business traffic. The airport has two hard-surfaced lighted runways at 6,500 feet and 5,000 feet long with air freight and jet capability. A helicopter pad is also available. The longer of our runways is equipped with a full instrument landing system for all operations. The airport provides fuel services as an Air BP dealer in aviation gas and jet fuel. Currently the airport has six hangar buildings in use with space available in the common hangar. There is room for more hangars to be built with minimum site preparation required.

Commercial Air Service is available in Jackson, Mississippi and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, both 90 minutes away.

Rail

Natchez is served by a mainline of Canadian National Illinois Central Railroad, which starts in New Orleans and continues to Chicago, Illinois.

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Partially funded by the Mississippi Development Authority