THE BELMONT County Commissioners should be commended for their decision this past week to throw their collective support behind the county’s port authority.

Funding for the port authority has been a major point of contention over recent months. The future of the development agency was in doubt.

At the heart of the issue was whether commissioners would forgive $28,000 that was advanced to the port authority. A majority of the board of commissioners had remained adamant against such action.

The recent weekly commissioners’ meetings have been a lightning rod for port authority debate.

The agency received an outpouring of public support. Its job creation throughout the county, especially in Bellaire, resulted in passionate calls for the county to extend funding for the port authority’s operations.

To their credit, commissioners opted to go in that direction last week.

The triumvirate said it will forgive the $28,000 advance and will ensure funding for the port authority for next year.

Along those same lines, commissioners noted they will back the work of the county’s Department of Development/Community Improvement Corp. We again commend the board for its prudent decision.

The commissioners have a challenging task. They are dealing with limited revenue and an uncertain future.

Their move to ensure the well-being of the port authority is one we believe will reap additional dividends. The authority’s work has already delivered a positive impact to many areas of the county.

Now with everyone on the same page, we foresee even greater economic returns. Teamwork will go a long way in steering the county’s economic future in the right direction.