Karen Gagliano is trying to fill a hole in a heart – and herstomach.

Since settling in Wesson after Hurricane Katrina blew her out ofNew Orleans in 2005, she has been unable to find any comfortingCajun cuisine, so she’s decided to cook and sell her own. Karen’sLittle Snack Shack will open in the old Mill building downtown inJanuary.

“There’s nowhere around here that makes a good po’boy,” shesaid. “We just wanted to have what we had, and I think Mississippilikes it, too.”

Gagliano’s little restaurant is one of five new businessesopened in Wesson throughout 2009, one of the most successful yearsfor economic development the town has experienced in quite sometime. While other locations in Southwest Mississippi are lickingthe wounds of job loss and economic shrinkage, Wesson experienced agrowth spurt town officials are hoping will carry over into the newyear.

“Most little towns in Mississippi are closing businesses rightnow, and we’re growing,” said Stephen Ashley, president of theWesson Chamber of Commerce.

Included in the list of new businesses is Ashley’s ownMississippi Western Outfitters, a western-style clothing store.Also doing business for the first time this year is the CottonPatch, a sandwich shop; Milltown Mall and Antiques, a flea marketand antique store; Snazzy Pets, a pet grooming business; andGagliano’s snack shack, which will serve snacks and platelunches.

To make sure the new stores sharpen their edges and grow in2010, Ashley said the chamber is moving to facilitate the newbusinesses’ growth with a series of informational events for nextyear. The chamber is seeking assistance from MDA and MEC forworkforce training and business seminars for business owners, andplans to bring in its own business and political speakers.

“Not so much for campaign gains, but so that the businesses canget a better idea of how to utilize our government entities to helpthemselves,” Ashley said.

With more than 2,000 students less than one mile away and aproud base of town residents, Ashley is hoping the new businesseswill be patronized regularly and strengthen as 2010 rolls on. Hesaid the town’s business atmosphere is improving, and he creditsthe growth to the people.

“It’s just a wonderful atmosphere, wonderful people,” Ashleysaid. “We’ve got some great folks running these businesses, andpeople are beginning to notice that. We’ve got a lot of folks whoare traveling to Wesson to shop now.”

Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw said further development deals are inthe works for the new year, and the town would be ready to assistentrepreneurs with infrastructure improvements and utilities. Localleaders will also work to connect business owners to state andfederal programs designed to assist them get off the ground, hesaid.

“There are a lot of available avenues for public technicalassistance on how to run a businesses and how to grow a business,”Shaw said. “We’re going to try our best to tap into as many of themas possible.”

Shaw hinted at the possibility of a new business leasing theSunflower building in downtown Wesson next year, but provided nodetails. Work on town sidewalks will continue in 2010, he said, andhopes are the $1.5 million renovation of the old Wesson school willget under way. Plans call for a leadership school for boys to behoused there, but a backup plan to construct a community centerexists.