State Rep. Terry Johnson recently spoke to business and community leaders about the need for more regional thinking in southern Ohio and the entire Tri-State.

Johnson is absolutely correct on this assertion and we must do so in both cooperative and competitive endeavors.

One of Johnson’s points was that drug and economic problems in Scioto County have a big impact on Lawrence, Jackson and other southern Ohio counties, as well as Greenup, Boyd and other counties in Kentucky and so on.

Johnson also emphasized that economic development and infrastructure improvements such as the Chesapeake and Portsmouth bypasses can benefit the entire region.

While our economic leaders certainly have to do their part to educate potential businesses and others looking to locate here, our citizens need to alter their thinking as well.

But the regional concept is a balancing act because we must not forget about our own community and our own state. The three states and the communities in them must work as a team but also each build and promote the individual strengths that can set Lawrence County apart from its neighbors in Kentucky and West Virginia.

As citizens, we benefit from having resources right across the river. But we must not forget about the assets and businesses right here.

Regional thinking is important to our future but we must also remember that money and politics will never allow these borders to be completely broken down.

The key will be for Lawrence County to think regionally but stand out at the same time by creating our own niche here in the Tri-State.