(October 24, 2023 – Natchez, MS) Natchez, Inc. is pleased to announce that Adams County has met all the criteria to continue to be recognized as a certified ACT Work Ready Community, demonstrating its commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, desirable to employers, economic developers, and current and future citizens of the county. Adams County was the first county in Mississippi to receive this designation in September of 2016. Recognized by site selectors, this designation is a nationally recognized tool that displays the skill level of an area’s emerging, current and transitioning workforce.
The ACT® Work Ready Communities (ACT® WRC) initiative empowers states, regions and counties with data, processes and tools that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and demonstrating the number of qualified workers available in communities across the nation. Participants of the program leverage the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) to measure and close skills gaps and build common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts.
Recently, the Natchez, Inc. staff attended the 2023 ACT Workforce Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, where they received an award for achieving benchmarks in their efforts to attract new businesses and jobs in addition to strengthening the skill sets of the region’s high school students, job seekers and current workforce.
QUOTES OF INTEREST
“Our organization is happy to see Adams County continue to hold this designation. Since this was started in our area in 2014, many partners in our community have played an important part in its continued success. The ACT Work Ready Community is one tool that helps our area continue to stay competitive.” Chandler Russ, Executive Director of Natchez, Inc.
“We are incredibly proud of Adams County for being the first county in the state of Mississippi to receive this national certification back in 2016, and we are excited to see the opportunities that evolve for residents and employers as we continue to maintain the Work Ready Community status.” Dan Gibson, Mayor, City of Natchez
“The Adams County Board of Supervisors is excited to showcase the work-ready talent of Adams County with this latest designation and look forward to continued collaboration to help attract and retain employers in our area.” Warren Gaines, President, Adams County Board of Supervisors.
“Congratulations to Adams for becoming an ACT Work Ready Community, and joining a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Tony Garife. “The efforts of the county leadership to achieve WRC certification will provide the community with a tremendous economic development advantage and help it stand out for its workforce development efforts.”
For more information on this initiative, go to www.workreadycommunities.org and view all of ACT’s workforce solutions at www.act.org/workforce
About Natchez, Inc.
Natchez, Inc. is Natchez and Adams County’s lead economic and community development agency. Our staff is engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and the workforce in the region. Our mission is to serve existing and new businesses and industries – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of area residents. For more information, visit Natchez, Inc. website at www.natchezinc.com
