Those in our community who supported the school bond issue on Tuesday are still enjoying a sort of afterglow from the overwhelming approval from voters. I count myself among that number.

The much-needed money the bond issue will generate will go to improve school facilities badly in need of repair and pave the way for upgrades that will equip our children with the technology they need to learn and compete in today’s world.

Perhaps the best thing to come from the approval of the bond issue by our community is the sense of pride our students and teachers and school staffers feel today. They know our community is willing to invest in their education. That’s a good feeling. It would be nice if our state legislators made the funding of public school education the same priority our community made it Tuesday.

We have good things happening here. Our economic development strategic plan has moved into its second phase after having received input from all kinds of community members as to what investments they would like to see happen here. That plan will serve as a long-term guide for those charged with recruiting manufacturers to our area.

Our elected city and county officials, school district officials and business community are working more closely together than ever before. The support of the business community, led by the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, for the Vicksburg Warren School District has been nothing short of a game changer. The Leader in Me program and the Ford Next Generation Learning effort will equip our students for productive lives beyond high school graduation. Neither of those programs would have been possible without significant investments from private businesses here.

Because of the Leader in Me program, children are learning at an early age the habits they need to form to become responsible citizens.

And the Ford Next Generation Learning academy approach to education will introduce students to a wide range of interests, all meant to help them make a decision about what kind of work fuels their passion and provide them with the tools they need for productive lives after high school graduation.

The project in its early stages to convert the former Mississippi Hardware building into a high-tech incubator for start-up businesses is already showing amazing promise. That effort is bringing together private investors, city and county leaders with state economic development officials, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and engineering educators at Mississippi State University and perhaps even those from engineering universities in neighboring states. If plans come to fruition, the center will be a leader in our nation in high-tech engineering development.

Combine all of these things with the work that should begin shortly on development of our riverfront to make it more appealing to residents and the thousands of tourists who come here via riverboats each year.

We know the jewel that is Vicksburg. Soon, many others will know it, too.

Jan Griffey is general manager of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com.