Just Sunday, we wrote just how crucial a successful Vicksburg Convention Center was to Vicksburg and Warren County overall.

The editorial last Sunday, published just three days ahead of Wednesday’s quarterly meeting of the center’s board and the release of the annual report, showed the economic impact the center had during the previous year and the number of events hosted.

While we expected another good report Wednesday, reflecting what many had said was a banner year for the center, we did not know the report would be nearly historic.

In the presentation, officials reported the center finished the 2015-2016 fiscal year “in the black” for just the second time in the center’s 20-year history.

Not only was the financial report positive but the impact as well.

Conventions, banquets and other events at the convention center brought in more than 50,000 people and had an economic impact on Vicksburg totaling more than $5.5 million.

“The Vicksburg Convention Center has become a major player in the Mississippi meetings market,” Bill Seratt, executive director, Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau said.

Over the past few years, the city leadership has had to make tough choices regarding the convention center when it came to needed improvements, upgrades and repairs.

Just this year, the city approved major roof repairs and now, an escalator replacement is planned.

A 20-year-old building needs love and attention, and it is crucial the city continues to make investments in the convention center.

By the recent figures, that investment is paying off.

Vicksburg is home to a number of businesses and industries, but we all understand that tourism is at the top of the list.

Not only are people coming to Vicksburg for our parks, our history and our downtown, but also they are coming here for events and entertainment, and the Vicksburg Convention Center is at the heart of that business.

Congratulations to the staff and administration of the convention center on a fantastic and historic year.