Positive economic news, especially in the current financial climate, is always welcome news for the residents of Warren County. And while many grand plans for development in the city have come and gone with a whisper, Wednesday’s news is a sign of economic hope.

The American Steamboat Company announced plans to resume Mississippi River cruises on the American Queen. Even better, company officials have said Vicksburg will play a big role in excursions north and south on the Mighty Mississippi.

In years past, steamers would stop in Vicksburg so passengers could disembark, visit downtown Vicksburg and its shops and tourist attractions, then return to the boat in the evening for the next leg of the cruise. Plans are to dock in Vicksburg overnight and secure a block of hotel rooms for passengers to spend the night. Overnight visitors, likely, will eat at our restaurants, visit our casinos and enjoy our nightlife, which equates to increased revenues throughout the city and county.

The Mississippi River holds a magical mystique and there is a natural attraction to the river. The river is a tremendous part of Vicksburg’s history — and its present and future. The return of a steamer docking at City Front will only enhance the attraction to the river at Vicksburg.

Also Wednesday, the unfinished Halls Ferry Station — a block of concrete walls and underbrush behind Walgreens at Halls Ferry and South Frontage roads — has been purchased by Action Properties LLC of Yazoo City. A.G. Helton, Action’s chief executive officer, said equipment is expected to be working in a few weeks on the project, which has been dormant since 2007.

What businesses will move into the complex are unknown, but Helton said he has “some prospective tenants and some good leads.” Action has shown interest in the property more than once, unsuccessfully bidding on the foreclosed property in 2007 and then purchasing it this year.

The property sits at the site of the old Halls Ferry School, which was demolished in 2002. Traffic surveys have shown that the intersection is the busiest in the city.

Helton and Jeffrey Krida, chief executive of the Great American Steamboat Company, have signaled a commitment to Vicksburg.

Here’s hoping Helton and Krida’s commitments become reality.