Thursday’s official announcement that Amazon.

Friday, January 14, 2000

Thursday’s official announcement that Amazon.com is creating a distribution center in Huntington, W.Va., is good news for the Tri-State.

Lawrence County residents should celebrate yet another addition of an employer across the river. Anything that makes this area’s economy stronger is reason for all of us to sleep a little better.

But, while we don’t begrudge our neighbors the good news of more jobs, there is a question every Lawrence County resident should be asking – "why not us?"

There are several perfect spots for a place like Amazon.com to have located in Lawrence County? Why did the company choose to create its new facility across the river?

Figure out the answer, and you will be one step closer to solving Ironton’s current vacancy problem.

Perhaps one of the major advantages could be advocacy. Huntington seems to have a first-rate cheerleading section – professionals who make it their business to get the message out that Huntington has room for new industry.

Huntington also has some pretty powerful allies in the Statehouse who bring a lot of incentives the city’s way – and their state officials probably even know how to get there.

Ironton should not take the Amazon.com announcement as a setback – or a missed opportunity – rather a sign that a community with a determination to generate interest in bringing jobs to its borders can do so successfully.

In other words, if they can do it, so can we. But, turning wishing into reality is going to take more than a falling star and more rhetoric.

Ironton needs to ask for some tips from Huntington and then come up with a game plan of its own.

Who knows, maybe the next announcement will be a 100 plus jobs for Ironton.