We long for more development, more growth and new jobs.

We are a community — just like others — looking to reduce our unemployment, increase opportunities and add to the quality of life.

Recently, we learned that the Cameron facility would soon be shuttered, ending a long and treasured tenure in Vicksburg.

Other industries tied to the oil and gas industry have faced similar struggles as prices plummeted and the pressures placed on the industry are likely to continue.

We have long touted Vicksburg as a place where industry and business have thrived and can thrive.

We have a quality workforce, dynamic education leadership, vibrant healthcare community and other cities similar in size to Vicksburg just don’t have.

Vicksburg and Warren County has an interstate, access to rail, a quality municipal airport and sits on one of the world’s largest waterways in the Mississippi River.

A new economic development director will soon be found and presented with a tremendous opportunity. They will be given a roster of facilities, land and assets communities throughout the Southeast would envy.

The Port Commission, City of Vicksburg and Warren County have the chance now, with a change in economic development leadership, to write our story once again, this time with a new lead character.

It is also important these three governmental groups come together to agree on the direction our economic recruitment and development must take moving forward.

We have industrial parks and spec buildings and local and state governments that are business friendly.

It is time all of those pieces come together under one roof and one voice that speaks for all of us — city, county and port. The county, city and port commission should empower one group with one leader to handle the sophisticated work of economic development here.

Gone are the days when we can simply sit back and wait for an industry or new business to come calling; we must be proactive. We must take the initiative and go after those companies we want and who want us.

Vicksburg and Warren County have plenty to offer and it’s time we start sharing the news in a coordinated manner.