As the year 2020 begins, we urge Warren County residents to start the year with an open mind.

With new supervisors sitting in four of the five seats on the board, some residents will likely need one, as it is probable 2020 will be a year of change, with new policies, procedures and ideas coming to the table.

The board will take on the responsibility of appointing the county attorney, road supervisor, county engineer, and after John Smith announced his resignation last month, county administrator.

For those nervous about what the new board will do over the next four years, an announcement about one of their primary focuses has already been released.

According to Dr. Jeff Holland, who was elected to represent District 4 on the board and recently spoke to the Port City Kiwanis Club, economic development will be at the forefront of what the supervisors seek to do and accomplish as they begin their term as a board by holding their first meeting Monday.

Beginning immediately, Holland said, as he addressed the Kiwanis club last month, “Economic development, in my mind, should be the activity of the day for the supervisors. It is a thing we’re involved in every day.”

With Dr. Holland’s resume of having served as chairman of the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Foundation, that announcement comes as no surprise.

And with the addition of District 5 Supervisor Kelle Barfield, who recently served as vice-chair of the foundation, this group of supervisors is in a strong position to make economic strides in the coming four years.

Other items discussed at the Port City Kiwanis meeting were government, infrastructure and education.

Also expect more collaboration between the city of Vicksburg and county government, as has already been expressed by many of the incoming supervisors and Mayor George Flaggs Jr.

John Maxwell, an American author who focuses on leadership, is quoted as saying, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

We are thankful the incoming board has chosen to focus on growing Warren County and turning it into a place where visitors, employees and children who grow up here want to plant roots.

We urge residents to support the board as they focus on bettering Vicksburg and Warren County for all who live, work and play here.