Tuesday, personnel with the Vicksburg Fire Department were in Florida walking through the final inspection for one of the department’s newest pieces of equipment.

The 78-foot ladder truck, which includes aerial pumping features, will soon join the other ladder trucks and equipment in the department’s fleet. 

The features it provides the department and its personnel will allow the department to provide more extensive coverage of industries along the U.S. 61 South corridor and serve as back-up to other equipment if needed in responding to situations at the Port of Vicksburg, downtown and elsewhere. 

The investment made by the city and the department is a crucial step to not only working on lowering insurance rates for all Vicksburg citizens but providing yet another piece of the puzzle in encouraging growth along 61 South.

This particular stretch of highway in Vicksburg is in need of attention and continued investment — private investment. The industries — with the exception of Batesville Casket, Eaton Industries, Foam Packaging and others — have somewhat languished in this area.

In the same way, smaller businesses and retail operations have also struggled to take hold and thrive.

The investment by the city to shore up emergency units in the area — and if plans announced by South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour for the city airport ever come to fruition — can be the building blocks for something great on 61 South.

We commend fire department leaders – and those on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen — for looking ahead to better serve the businesses and residents in south Vicksburg and particularly those on the vital 61 South corridor.