President Barack Obama touts his nearly $800 billion stimulus package as doing a variety of things including creating jobs and improving infrastructure.

We hope our local officials in Washington, D.C. remember two projects here in Lawrence County that fit that criteria perfectly: the Chesapeake Bypass and a new Ironton-Russell Bridge.

Both these projects would certainly help stimulate southern Ohio’s economy, and ultimately the entire Tri-State, because it would continue to build connections between Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Perhaps most importantly, we hope our national and state decision makers realize that these projects need a little help and could have a tremendous impact on the lives of so many.

Even though many disagree with the concept of the economic stimulus package, the reality is that it was passed and these projects deserve a piece of the pie.

The Chesapeake Bypass — also known as the Tri-State Metro Outerbelt — would connect State Route 7 in Chesapeake with that same road past Proctorville, creating a more seamless highway system from Huntington to Ashland and Portsmouth. This will increase commerce and the viability of the entire region as a place for business and industry to locate.

The Ironton-Russell Bridge has seen better days, not approaching 100 years of age. While some would argue that our region has enough spans over the Ohio so that this one isn’t necessary, that argument simply doesn’t hold water for Ironton businesses.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has committed to both of these projects, delayed even as they have been.

Now is the opportunity for the federal government to inject some “stimulus” into an entire region.