Wesson leaders are looking for a more suitable welcome forvisitors to the town in southern Copiah County.

To that end, in a joint effort between the Wesson Chamber ofCommerce and the town of Wesson, officials have been working forthe past year to replace small, faded green signs that visitorspass while traveling to and from Wesson.

“The chamber had the vision for the signs in the last couple ofyears,” said Marilyn Britt, chamber vice president. “We wanted asign that was attractive as well as informational.”

There will be three new welcome signs around Wesson, one on eachend of Highway 51 and one sign at Sylvarena Road and Highway51.

The informational symbols, which have been in place for twoweeks, are currently blank. However, Britt said the signs should becompleted within two to three months.

“We think it will be a warm sign to anyone coming through ourtown,” said Britt. “It just kind of speaks on behalf of thecommunity; it will be the first thing people see when they come toWesson.”

Britt mentioned that no final decision has been made on thewording or the graphics for the signs. However, Mayor Alton Shawsaid the signs might include the town’s seal and the color schemecould be blue to coincide with the colors of the local high schooland Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

“We feel a nice beautiful sign will welcome visitors to Wessonand the community,” said Britt.

After construction, painting, lettering and material expenses,Britt said the signs are expected to cost around $2,500 per sign.The chamber purchased two of the signs and the town purchased theadditional sign to cover all major entrances to the community.

“We had wanted signs for a long time,” said Shaw. “We put alittle back here and there and were able to save up for them.”

Shaw said the town is funding its sign out of the town’s generalfund. Britt said the chamber was able to raise the money needed forthe signs through fundraisers such as the Wesson Founders DayFestival and Old School Resurrection, a haunted house in the oldWesson school that raised around $20,000 for the chamber.

“The chamber is always looking for ways to help the town andpromote our community,” said Britt. “We feel like this is a majoraccomplishment and something we’ve been looking forward to.”

The welcome signs could not come at a better time. After a visitby the Mississippi Development Authority in July and some assetmapping, signs were a top priority in their findings.

“People like to feel welcome and know where they are going,”said Shaw. “Studies show that when people feel welcome and there isa general sense of attraction in the community, the curb appealmakes them more inclined to relocate and shop there.”

With new downtown sidewalks on their way to being finished, Shawthinks the new signs will be another way to increase the attractionof Wesson.

“I’m excited about the (signs’) completion,” said Shaw. “I thinkthey’ll be an added asset to Wesson for years to come.”