Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce officials say theywant to walk a fine line between marketing the community to homeseekers and remaining sensitive to the concerns of displacedresidents following Hurricane Katrina.

Chamber officials met Friday with real estate agents and othersto discuss marketing efforts and ways to promote Brookhaven andLincoln County. The meeting followed a “flurry” of realestate-related questions earlier in the week at the chamberoffice.

“We were inundated with calls about possible relocation toBrookhaven and Lincoln County,” said Cliff Brumfield, executivevice president, adding that similar activity was experienced as farnorth as Greenville.

Brumfield said the effort’s goal was not to take advantage ofthe situation, but to tactfully market the community as a good,safe place to live and raise a family.

“We want good people coming into our community who can help usgrow,” Brumfield said.

Brumfield mentioned plans for a billboard campaign as well ascontinued marketing of real estate opportunities in the area.

Brumfield cited estimates that traffic on Interstate 55 couldincrease dramatically over the next three to five years due torebuilding. He said the traffic activity would also impact tourismand hospitality areas.

“The sales tax from that could be very strong,” he said.

David Holland, manager of the local WIN Job Center, said many ofthose applying for unemployment benefits are not planning to returnto New Orleans.

“I’d say eight out of 10 of them are saying they’re staying hereor going elsewhere,” Holland said.

Agent Leroy Kelly said a number of the people he had talked toare retirees who did not want to go through another upheaval. DonnaPippen, who operates a local day care center, echoed Holland’scomments.

“They’re planning on staying and looking for homes and jobs,”Pippen said.

Mayor Bob Massengill cautioned that community promotionalefforts should not leave a “bad taste” for people.

“We need to be sensitive and we don’t want folks who arereturning to think we’re being opportunistic,” Massengill said.

Mentioning comments from the national association, real estateagent Benton Gibson said chamber officials should put themselves inthe evacuees’ place. He said advertising should focus on positivecommunity qualities more so than homes or jobs.

“They’re going to settle in a community,” Gibson said.

Gibson said it is a good time to have property for sale on themarket. However, he doubted owners’ potential to reap huge benefitsfrom the property sales.

Melissa Posey suggested having space available to allowevacuees’ to take advantage of benefits they are receiving fromemergency relief agencies. She said that could be used to grow thecommunity in a productive way.

Several meeting participants commented on the care that evacueeshave received in Red Cross shelters. Holland said that applicantsare in good spirits despite having lost everything is a testamentto that level of care.

“The fact that the shelters have done such a good job willinfluence people,” Kelly said.

Chamber President Lavelle Sullivan, who owns an automobiledealership, said he had noticed a big increase in diesel trucksales related to the hurricane response. He indicated Brookhaven isin a good position to capitalize in other areas as well.

“From a retail standpoint, we haven’t scratched the surfaceyet,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to be weeks coming.”

Holland said evacuees are focused now on getting benefits fromthe various relief agencies. Future life decisions will be madelater.

“They’re trying to get the basic necessities needed forsurvival,” Holland said.

Brumfield said two billboards will cost $800 to $1,000 a monthfor a six-month campaign. Meeting participants supported theidea.

“I think we’re sold on the idea of billboards. We just have tofigure out where to put them,” real estate agent Cameron Smithsaid.

Brumfield said he would have a location listing soon. Possiblesites included along Interstate 55 and Highway 49.

Participants agreed to revisit the issue at another meeting inthe near future.

“The word is quality in what this community has to offer,”Brumfield said.