The Mississippi School of the Arts is an important part ofBrookhaven’s future, and chamber of commerce officials want statelawmakers to use all tools necessary to keep the project ontrack.

The school, located on the Whitworth College campus, will againbe in the spotlight Tuesday as the chamber of commerce hosts statelegislators for lunch during Brookhaven Day at the Capitolactivities.

“The state and our local delegation has done a wonderful job inseeing that the school stays on track and making sure operationalfunds are there to keep it on schedule,” said Chandler Russ,executive vice-president of the chamber.

Multi-tool gadgets with the logo “Using All Tools to Bring aBetter Future” printed on them and hard hats will be given tolawmakers and other state dignitaries when they come to theUniversity Club for lunch at noon.

“We know it’s going to be a tough session,” quipped Russ aboutthe hard hats, referring to a tight budget situation and dimfinancial forecast.

Last year, Russ sad nearly 200 state officials, including Gov.Ronnie Musgrove, Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, Speaker of the House Tim Fordand other top legislative leaders, attended the Brookhaven Dayevent. MSA Executive Director Dr. Vicki Bodenhamer gave lawmakersan update on school progress.

MSA officials will also be present Tuesday.

“We’ll be there to promote the Mississippi School of the Artsand ask them for their continued support,” said Jennifer Jackson,MSA director of development and public relations.

Lawmakers will have a chance to see school progress firsthand onFeb. 21 when they are invited to tour the campus, Jackson said.Invitations and details about those activities are expected to beannounced Tuesday.

Russ said Brookhaven Day is an annual event to promoteBrookhaven and to inform lawmakers about what’s happening in thecity. He said the day’s focus has and will continue to be on thearts school as it moves toward becoming a reality.

“That’s really the major legislation that we want to see happenand come out of the legislature,” Russ said.