Vicksburg’s downtown economy is ready to check in.

News Thursday that the Portofino Hotel will open — at some point — is welcomed news to not only the staff of the Vicksburg Convention Center, but to all of downtown.

For more than a year, the void left by the closure of the downtown hotel, has put a strain on the everyday operations of the convention center, and when it abruptly closed in July 2015, it left more than 30 events looking for accommodations.

Thankfully, Vicksburg’s hotel market was able to absorb and accommodate those coming to Vicksburg. And, through strong partnerships between the convention center, hotels and city transportation, the closure of the Portofino proved not to be a deal breaker for many convention planners.

Portofino owners said we should know the full extent of redevelopment and expansion plans for the hotel in the next three weeks. But, regardless of any improvements, just having the Portofino open will be important.

The convention center’s annual report indicates the meeting facility hosted 185 events, which brought in more than 50,000 attendees. And, as far as hotels are concerned, those events accounted for more than 10,000 nights in city hotels.

And, since the Portofino was closed for all of 2016, none of that business went to the hotel.

Vicksburg is blessed to have the hotel options that it does. From major chains and casinos, to locally owned bed and breakfast facilities, Vicksburg provides visitors plenty of options.

The redevelopment of the Portofino Hotel is an important development in the overall development of downtown Vicksburg.

Downtown has seen a number of restaurants open recently and more have announced plans to open soon.

We have seen a successful loft apartment market develop and downtown is already home to some of the best niche market retailers in Mississippi.

Until Thursday’s news, the Portofino had been among the areas of most need in downtown, along with upgrades to the city’s downtown parking garages and the waterfront.

As good as downtown Vicksburg is already, work still must be done, but we are excited to see the Portofino Hotel moving off downtown’s list of needs.