Pablo Diaz will be getting help in implementing the county’s economic development strategic plan and other efforts to recruit business to Warren County.

The Warren County Port Commission Wednesday authorized Diaz, the executive director of the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce/port director and economic development director, to hire someone “to support the objectives of economic development and operations.” The commission also increased its salaries budget by $10,000.

The vote came after a one-hour executive session during a special commission meeting Wednesday.

Diaz said after the meeting the position’s title and salary have not been determined. He said it is necessary because of increased economic development activity being handled by his office in the past few months.

“We need to increase our capacity in terms of the staff,” he said. “It (the position) will be supporting me and all things economic development. We’re talking about a senior project management-type position.

“This person will help in recruiting and management of projects — all types of projects that have to do with economic development and entrepreneurship; it really will be a person who will be my right hand as we move forward with the implementation of the strategic plan,” he said.

“We are still interviewing and want to make sure we build the right team that can help us implement the strategic plan as soon as possible.”

In other action, the commissioners:

• Approved accepting an additional $25,000 per year from the chamber for The Partnership, the county’s economic development agency. Diaz said the additional money is part of The Partnership agreement.
• Discussed two active economic development projects. Diaz would not release information on the activity.