NATCHEZ, Miss. – Mayor Dan Gibson said the city’s new “Shift South” program has brought “phenomenal” results in getting Natchez “world-wide attention” as it tries to lure new residents by giving them money to move here.
Just one new resident so far has been lured to Natchez – a New Orleans attorney who bought a Linton Avenue house – but the initiative has gained the attention of thousands, Gibson said. They’ve read or heard about it via such news outlets as CNN, Forbes, BBC and even a TV channel in Spain, Gibson said.
Speaking Tuesday at the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting, Gibson said 10 applications were being reviewed from people wanting to take advantage of the $6,000 grant the city will give those who qualify. They must buy a Natchez house valued at least $150,000 and commit to living in the city. The program is aimed at attracting people tired of living in big cities and can work remotely from home in “a charming, historic community” with a low cost of living
The inducement grants are to be paid in increments: $2,500 up front and $300 monthly for a year. Property and sales taxes a “Shift South” resident would pay is expected to exceed the $6,000 local government provides.
The city board in October agreed to provide the money and placed a $180,000-a-year cap on the total that can be allocated to all beneficiaries.
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Natchez aldermen on Tuesday agreed to provide $60,000 to help Adams County supervisors fix the erosion problems that threaten the Department of Human Services building. Water-drainage issues are eating away the ground underneath the county-owned structure, located on East Franklin Street by the intersection of Quitman and Melrose avenues.
The Adams County Board of Supervisors has allocated $250,000 and asked the city to chip in $60,000. The erosion is largely caused by a flawed drainage pipe maintained by the city, said municipal Public Works Supervisor Justin Dollar.
While the DHS building is owned by the county, Gibson said the city should help in responding to “a scary situation” that could have the building collapsing in a landslide.
Federal funds have also been applied toward the erosion-control project.
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The mayor reported riverboats plan to return to Natchez next month after a year-long pause caused by the coronavirus. The American Queen Steamboat Co.’s American Duchess will dock here March 18. American Cruise Lines will also return in March. Meanwhile, Gibson said, he continues discussions with the two companies and Viking Cruises about building river-docking facilities on Silver Street. Viking plans to begin Mississippi River cruises next year.
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The mayor expressed concerns Tuesday about former Natchez mayor Butch Brown, who Gibson said is in the hospital seriously ill. Brown served as mayor from 2012 to 2016 and previously from 1992 to 2000.
Gibson and aldermen also memorialized former Adams County supervisor Sammy Cauthen, who died Sunday. He served on the Adams County Board of Supervisors for 32 years through 2007. He was 80.
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City officials Tuesday accepted $16,000 from Waste Management as payment for its 2020 franchise tax, which is assessed for the right to do business in Natchez. WM collects garbage for private customers and maintains a garbage landfill in south Adams County. It’s not the waste hauler contracted by the city to collect residential trash.
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