With the number of Hispanics in Vicksburg and Warren County possibly up to 5,000, a question is begged: Why are these people, mostly from Mexico and Central America, choosing this area?.

Marie Thompson answers with little thought. &#8220The first purpose is to support their family,” said the Vicksburg woman of Hispanic heritage working to make the growing community achieve a better quality of life.

Vicksburg also provides a &#8220tranquil” feel similar to that of the ranchos of home, but still, a stronger draw is industry. The immigrants want and need jobs.

Such businesses as LeTourneau Inc., Cooper Lighting and Cappaert Manufactured Housing, all along U.S. 61 South, are hiring Hispanics through contractors in the area.

Thompson said Mike Cappaert of Cappaert Manufactured Housing, who did not return phone calls for this report, has a large number of Hispanic employees.

&#8220Mike has done a lot for the Hispanic community,” Thompson said. &#8220He has medical benefits, ESL classes and a good working relationship with them. He has gone the extra mile to make sure they (do well).”

Cappaert also provides his workers mobile homes in which to live with their families, Thompson said.

&#8220It’s about quality of life. These people come from a different place – it’s a luxury to live in a trailer,” Thompson said. &#8220It may not be the best furniture, but it’s better than what they’re used to.”

Many Hispanics set out looking for work with only a backpack. While some bring their families with them, many send money home, not knowing when they will see family again.

Hispanics are able to work in the United States through employment-based immigration, which allows a U.S. employer to sponsor an individual for a specific position where there is an absence of U.S. workers. Some eventually become permanent residents.

&#8220Initially, they come to work and support their families,” Thompson said. &#8220Sometimes they become permanent residents and are able to bring their families.”

While work and family are the main concerns for most Hispanics, Thompson hopes the Hispanic Task Force started to help with the transitions can provide help in all areas.

As an example, Thompson contacted local grocery store managers to ask for more Latin foods to be offered. It’s working, she said.

Many Hispanics live along U.S. 61 South, sometimes within walking distance of the companies where they work. The Hispanic population in that area is becoming more and more noticeable.

Shirley Allen, who has worked at Trustmark’s Airport location for 28 years, began noticing the increasing number of Hispanics about five years ago. Each week now, she sees hundreds in the bank off U.S. 61 South.

At first, the language barrier did not allow tellers to serve Hispanic customers.

&#8220No one knew what they were talking about,” she said.

So Trustmark hired two Spanish-speaking tellers in 2004. Neither is still employed, but Allen took matters into her own hands. She is learning Spanish on her own from the exact people who need her to learn it – her customers.

&#8220The way it started was Jessie, who works at Cappaert, started coming in every Friday, and he teaches me a word every time he comes in,” Allen said.

Once she got the hang of it, other Hispanic customers would teach her more words. Now, she can count in Spanish – up to 1 million.

&#8220I have a dictionary, a gift from one of the customers,” she said. &#8220If I can’t say something exactly, I show them in the book.”

Allen said most of her customers live and work along U.S. 61 South, but some live on U.S. 61 North also. She believes it’s important for her to be able to communicate with her customers.

&#8220I understand when they need a statement, their balance, when they need to make a deposit,” she said. &#8220We even get into normal talking – most of them have families, and they’ll tell us about them.”

Allen said she sees her Hispanic customers as assets to the community because they are hard workers. She doesn’t see the population growth slowing down either, she said.

&#8220Soon, they’re going to be the majority if it keeps going like it is,” she said. &#8220It’s important that we understand so we will be able to communicate.”