COLUMBUS — The people and issues of Lawrence County were front and center at the statehouse Thursday.

That’s because about 75 business representatives, economic development officials and community members from the county traveled to Ohio’s Capital as part of the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Day.

The day included breakout sessions with representatives from the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Those in attendance also heard from Gov. Ted Strickland, who told them that there are many reasons why life is good in Ohio.

“I think that those of us that have the privilege of being Ohioans can benefit from pausing and occasionally thinking about what is it is that we have in Ohio,” Strickland said.

The state has diverse natural resources, access to fresh water, and a vast array of education institutions, he said.

“What we have to do is be grateful for what we have and work to improve it,” Strickland said.

The keynote speaker for Thursday’s conference was Lisa Patt-McDaniel, director of Ohio Department of Development. Pratt-McDaniel discussed several economic development efforts that are going on in the county.

“Communities like yours have character and history,” she said. “And those things are the things that are critical at attracting that younger generation.”

She added that the Ohio River is an important asset to development.

“You are poised in an absolutely wonderful way. Some of the other communities are not as fortunate,” Patt-McDaniel said.

Following Pratt-McDaniel’s discussion, Dan Mooney, president of the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. presented a check to the Department of Development for loan fee of $50,000 for a $9.5 million loan to develop The Point Industrial Park.

This is the 24th year for the chamber’s Legislative Day.

Bob Smith, chamber director, said the day was well attended not only by those from Lawrence County, but also by representatives from state government.

The event is a good way to learn more about what’s going on in state government as well as meeting state officials, he said.