FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Natchez-Adams County Workforce Initiative: Strengthening Collaboration & Capacity

Natchez Workforce Development

Natchez-Adams County Workforce Initiative: Strengthening Collaboration & Capacity

 

Natchez, MS: The City of Natchez, Adams County Board of Supervisors and Natchez- Adams School District today announced two new rounds of workforce funding from Central Mississippi Planning & Development District and Delta Regional Authority at a three-year valuation of $910,000 – $1,000,0000.

Quote from Dan Gibson, Mayor at the City of Natchez.  “It’s truly remarkable to see what can happen when we work together.  With these two major grants, possibly equating to almost $1 million over the next three years, our vision for a strong workforce development program is now assured of success!  We are so grateful for the city’s partnership with the Adams County Board of Supervisors and the Natchez Adams County School District, not to mention Co-Lin, Alcorn, Natchez Inc., Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce, and our many corporate partners!  We also applaud Tuwanna Williams, our Director of Workforce Development, leaders at the Central Mississippi and Southwest Mississippi Planning & Development District, and last, but certainly not least, Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority, who encouraged us to put the DRA application together in March during a Washington visit.  His support, along with that of our Congressman Bennie Thompson and US Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are evidenced that our Natchez Renewal is steaming forward with support at the highest levels!” 

Quote from Warren Gaines, President at the Adams County Board of Supervisors. “I am honored to see the collaboration working among the City of Natchez, Natchez Adams School District, and Adams County Board of Supervisors.  The vison for workforce development efforts is coming to fruition in such a short period of time.  Adams County’s proposal competed with 252 counties and parishes across multiple states.  We offer a special thank you to the Workforce Director’s leadership and her team for their hard work to improve our workforce efforts.  These funds will support our collective goal to establish a stable, ready and skilled pipeline of workers for our area.”   

Quote from Amos James, President at the Natchez Adams School District (NASD). “The Natchez Adams School District is excited to hear of the rewards of two substantial grants totaling near $1 million dollars for workforce development.  The partnership between NASD, the City of Natchez and Adams County is working hard together to strengthen our workforce and improve career success for all citizens of Adams County.  I would like to thank Tuwanna Williams for her diligent work in moving this program forward as well as the Delta Regional Authority and Central Mississippi Planning & Development District for making these awards available.  We have great community partners in Co-Lin, Alcorn, WIN Job Center and local businesses who continue to provide incredible support to our program.  Also, a huge thank you to our Congressional delegation.  Workforce is truly on the move!” 

These new rounds of funding will be used to provide more than 300 new job training and career placement opportunities for new, dislocated, and incumbent workers to include youth aged 17-24 years.  We are developing a workforce training system to align workforce development initiatives with current and future trends, such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and distribution, information technology and vocational programming.

Specifically, the areas where we’re heavily focused are:

• Workforce Training Systems
• Job Training and Quality Wages
• Youth Connection, Engagement, and Development

 

The Board of Aldermen for the City of Natchez, the Adams County Board of Supervisors along with the Natchez Adams County School Board held a historic Special Called Joint Meeting on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 10:30 am, becoming the first City, County and School Boards in the State of Mississippi to enter into an interlocal agreement to establish a workforce development department in a unified effort.  As a unit, they continue to seek innovative ways to support the business industry and our residents to press forward as a thriving community.