It’s the final day of 2017 and what a year it has been.

From tragedy in the loss of well known members of the community, to jubilation in the crowning of one of our own as Miss Mississippi.

Our community overcame and pulled together during a city-wide water outage.

We are making progress in the public education system joining forces with Ford Foundation to create a unique opportunity for our children and their future.

Economic development is also on the cusp of what we all hope is a boom for our community with the Continental Tire facility to make an impact locally.

Downtown development is moving forward and a new strategic plan that is being developed is expected to take Warren County to new heights.

Unemployment is at one of its lowest levels in years.

Tourism continues to be a positive aspect of our community with three riverboats now making Vicksburg a stop on the Mississippi River.

After years of talk, a new jail facility appears to be closer to fruition than ever before and significant progress is expected in 2018 when a site is finally selected.

And speaking of 2018, we have a lot to look forward to in the New Year.

Hinds Community College continues to work towards making Vicksburg a technology corridor and ERDC continues to create and produce incredible technological advances in a wide range of fields.

A new tech facility in the old Mississippi Hardware building also continues to move forward with major progress expected in 2018.

We have a lot be thankful for in 2017, but also have high expectations for 2018.

We hope all of you have incredible success in the New Year and this year is full of blessings to you and yours.

Happy New Year!