Community support and private funding will play important rolesin the development of the Mississippi School of the Arts,legislative leaders said Tuesday while attending Brookhaven Day atthe Capitol activities.

The school on the Whitworth College campus was the featuredtopic as the chamber of commerce hosted state legislators andofficials during a luncheon at the University Club.

Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck said she was most impressed with the communityand the continued support the school has received from itsleadership. She mentioned $20 million that the local community, inactual funds and value of the property, has contributed toward theproject.

“I think that sends a very positive message to the legislaturethat this is something you’re supporting in equal measure,” Tucksaid. “It’s something we all should be behind.”

Tuck said the community’s support was evident in Tuesday’sturnout. She said that shows the community is working together onthe project.

“I think when you do that, you have positive results,” Tucksaid.

Rep. Charlie Capps, chairman of the House AppropriationsCommittee, expressed similar comments. He said he was greatlyimpressed with the community’s attitude toward the project.

“Certainly, the school is making progress,” Capps said.

Capps said he was glad to hear about private fund-raisingefforts for the school. He discussed the need to pursue privatefunding as the school moves toward its opening.

“That certainly needs to be done,” Capps said.

Dist. 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett said the state and the legislaturehave been good to Brookhaven and Lincoln County for the lastseveral years. He said the $20 million contribution value that hasbeen put up so far shows the community is behind the school.

“We’ve had the support to match what we’re asking for,” Barnettsaid.

Dr. Vicki Bodenhamer, MSA executive director, updated stateofficials on school progress. She said school officials are in theprocess of planning a “topping off” celebration for the eight-storystudent life center, which is expected to be the tallest buildingbetween Jackson and New Orleans.

“When you top off an eight-story building in southwestMississippi, that’s something different,” Bodenhamer said.

Bodenhamer said school officials will soon seek bids forrenovations to the Y-Hut, which will be used for classroomspace.

“We really are working to be good stewards of Mississippi’sinvestment,” Bodenhamer said.

While the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have impacted the nation’seconomy and citizens’ charitable giving, Bodenhamer said afoundation has been formed for the school and contributions arecontinuing to come in. Also, she said interest in the school aroundthe state is growing as it moves closer to reality.

In the immediate future is development of admissions policiesand procedures, which must be approved by the state by June for theschool to open on time in the fall of 2003. With that timetable,Bodenhamer said funds for school operation are critical.

“This time next year, we will be in the process of auditioningstudents for the Mississippi School of the Arts,” Bodenhamersaid.

Danita Hobbs, chamber of commerce president, said the school isan important part of Brookhaven’s future and expressed appreciationto lawmakers for their role in seeing it progress.

“We’re excited as we watch it, because of your support, becomereality,” Hobbs said.