A project months in the making — rather remaking — begins this evening when the Leadership Vicksburg class begins.

Over the weekend, the class will go through a retreat, where they will focus on teambuilding and begin the process of learning more about themselves, each other and what this program means, and could mean, to Vicksburg and Warren County.

Last year, the program failed to garner enough members for a class, leading some in the community to reevaluate the program. Through meetings over a number of months, community leaders — some of which were graduates of earlier Leadership Vicksburg classes — looked at every element of the program, from the schedule to the cost and the curriculum.

That work will be put to the test from day one.

There will be those who will ask what the big deal is about the future of Leadership Vicksburg. But, the answer to that question is in the question itself.

Leadership Vicksburg’s mission is to provide an in-depth look at Vicksburg and Warren County, providing leadership tools and methods to those participating — many of whom are already leaders in their community, their business — and show them how they can make a deeper and more lasting impact on Vicksburg and Warren County.

This program is not about Vicksburg and Warren County today, but rather what lies ahead. This program, which is sponsored by area businesses and organizations, under the umbrella of the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce, can be — and will be once again — an immensely valuable tool to our community.

Today, we celebrate the rebirth of Leadership Vicksburg and thank those who have signed on to be members of this year’s class.

We also want to thank the individuals, businesses and organizations who committed themselves and their resources to making this program stronger than it was before.

A successful Leadership Vicksburg program is not just something that will benefit those who participate, but will be benefit all of Vicksburg and Warren County.