GOOD THINGS come to those who wait.

That time-tested saying now rings true in Harrison County.

Commissioners adopted the long-awaited strategic plan Wednesday. It climaxed countless hours of input by a host of skilled individuals since work began on it nearly two years ago.

It was a true team effort as Belmont Technical College played an integral role in its development. The strategic plan offers hope as well as a blueprint for development in Harrison County.

The plan will be set in motion by a facilitator. Jeff McClain is that person and he will be charged with focusing on eight specific goals. They include: infrastructure, services, energy, agriculture, real estate, marketing, recreation and tourism as well as business development.

We believe the document developers have nailed it with their specific target areas. Now the hard part begins, making the goals become reality.

Harrison County Commission Chair Barb Pincola vows the plan will not sit on the shelf collecting dust. With all the time, effort and manpower involved to make the plan come to fruition, Commissioner Pincola is correct in making such a statement.

It appears everything is in place to proceed with chasing the aforementioned goals.

We commend Harrison County officials and all those who assisted them in bringing the strategic plan to the point of implementation.

The vision statement which accompanies the plan states, “We will be among the best places to live, raise a family, work and conduct business.”

Should that occur, Harrison County’s strategic plan is one that should be adopted throughout Eastern Ohio.