Memphis shoe company may relocate to parish by Joey Martin - posted Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 @ 1:13 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  A Memphis-based shoe company announced Monday it is considering relocating its business to the parish. Neimaj Footwear and Apparel specializes in the design and production of athletic footwear. According to a press release from the company, Neimaj has plans to utilize the facilities in Concordia Parish to house its distribution warehouse and research and development center. Neimaj also said it has plans to have a "full manufacturing facility that will produce 100 percent organic footwear while utilizing the port and industrial parks in Concordia Parish." The company has been meeting with the Town of Ferriday and parish officials for months. Concordia Economic Director Heather Malone and former Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin talked with Delta Regional Authority several months ago about a $125,000 grant to renovate the old Kelly's Kids building for the company. At a special town meeting on Sept. 26, Ferriday Town Council members questioned Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen about the industry. Elijah "Stepper" Banks asked Allen where the project stood and what kind of communication the town has had with Neimaj. Allen initially said he had no information on the prospect and was not contacted. He later said he met with the company before he was mayor. "I was part of a meeting, but I was just listening because I was not mayor then," Allen said. "Now we need a business plan and financial plan to move forward." "I just feel like it's a lack of communication," said Ferriday Alderwoman Gail Pryor. "We have a company willing to come to Ferriday and we need to go out and recruit them. Our problem is that one person does not know what the other person is doing. Being on the council before, the mayor did not know some of the things we knew. But those are issues that can be resolved." For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition!