This week’s announcement that President Bill Clinton’s proposed trillion dollar budget might include some additional money for the Huntington, W.

Friday, February 11, 2000

This week’s announcement that President Bill Clinton’s proposed trillion dollar budget might include some additional money for the Huntington, W.Va., and Ironton joint Empowerment Zone project is a sign that there are more reasons to be hopeful than discouraged.

Although bad news now, the recent job losses in some of the area’s longtime employers might be a blessing in disguise – a chance to eliminate plants from companies without a commitment to this area and to add industrial interests that reflect the new economy.

In other words, a chance for Lawrence County to become a part of the nation’s affluence boom, which has been spurred on by the rapid advancement of technology.

Changing the way we think about what kind of work we want to bring to the area is not going to be easy, but there might be many more exciting announcements just over the horizon if Lawrence County is willing to try something new.

The proposed Empowerment Zone increase is just the first step in a new period of change for the county and Ironton.

This is news everyone who hopes to have a future for their children in their hometown should welcome with open arms – and an open mind.