The road to economic growth in Adams County is paved and ready for final inspection — literally.

It took eight years of planning and work, but a better access point for trucks delivering to the Adams County Port is now complete.

The Government Fleet Road extension will cut seven miles off the trip truckers have to take to get to the port, saving the rest of us unnecessary truck traffic while further supporting still growing port industries.

A number of the Natchez Inc. announcements made in recent years involve port property, and several companies reported choosing Natchez because it had good access — by river, rail and road.

Finishing this project was a necessary step if we hope to continue that port growth.

Funding for the massive road project — which is a sight to see even for those who won’t be driving trucks across it — came from a National Highway System Intermodal Connector Improvement Program grant.

If we hope to grow, our county must continue to invest in industrial development. With the road nearly ready for traffic, the next point of attention must be acquiring developable land to market to prospective industries.

The Government Fleet project took eight years; it’s time to get going on the next big thing.