So, do you want to hear the bad news or the good news and the good news first? Let’s take the bad first.

Bad: Because Vicksburg and Warren County have lost industries and jobs over the past year or so, the area’s ranking in a national survey could see a tumble next year — when those shutdowns are part of the equation. No surprise.

But the good, and possibly the better: Because Vicksburg and Warren County have a diversified base, the local economy has won a prestigious landing at 66th of 574 areas ranked by Florida-based POLICOM Corporation.

The local area “has been  relatively stable in size and quality,” said the president of the research firm.

Then he said a bit more about Vicksburg and Warren County (the potentially better news).

Because of the diversification including industry, casinos, tourism and retail, history suggests Vicksburg and Warren County will “go back to being rock solid.”

Indeed, that’s the better news.

On its own, the local economy can’t be oblivious to what’s happening across the country. The economy is hurting; employment is down; industries of all sizes and shapes are in some cases gasping for breath.

But once recovery begins — and some quarters say that’s just around the corner — Vicksburg and Warren County could come out smelling like a rose.

In a bed temporarily littered with too many thorns, smelling like a rose sure sounds good.