WESSON — Residents should start brainstorming and make lists oftheir hopes for the downtown area in preparation for a one-dayassessment by the Mississippi Main Street Association.

MMSA has set Oct. 9 as the day representatives will be on handto hear the ideas of residents and make their own observationsabout the town, according to Mayor Bill Tigner.

“The executive board will interview citizens and tour the town,”Tigner said. “Then they will make suggestions and come up withplans for the revitalization of the downtown area.”

The full-day assessment will be the second step in therevitalization process. The naming of the advisory board a fewweeks ago was the first step.

Mayor Bill Tigner, who brought the Mississippi Main StreetAssociation (MMSA) idea to the town several months ago, will serveas chair of the advisory board.

He will work closely with Wesson alderwoman Lura Greer,Copiah-Lincoln Community College professor David Higgs,business/citizen representative Scott King, Copiah Countysupervisor Terry Channell and architect/business representativeJeff Knight.

The advisory board will work with MMSA representatives and townresidents to set up committees and developing the most beneficialplan.

MMSA, a private, non-profit organization, has assisted overdozens of communities in Mississippi to revitalize downtownareas.

Through an ongoing series of initiatives, the Wesson Main StreetAssociation will complete projects such as bringing more businessto the downtown area and creating more job opportunities.

Residents are encouraged to offer suggestions and bring ideas tothe advisory board and MMSA representatives throughout the planningprocess.

“We really want people to let them know what they want the townto look like in five or 10 years,” Tigner commented. “Anyinterested citizens are invited to attend the assessment daymeeting and participate.”

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Oct. 9, in the upstairsmeeting room of the Wesson Cafe on Highway 51.

Anyone seeking more information about Main Street may callTigner at (601) 754-1217.