We’re almost afraid to ask the question, but since we’re only a little superstitious, here goes. Is it possible that our economy is turning around?

While nationally the economy has been clipping along for several years, locally things have been much better.

But our economy has received a few shots in the arm in the last few days.

Last week, International Paper’s Natchez mill announced plans to rehire nearly two dozen workers that were laid off last fall due to slow business.

As the mill’s human resources director Luther Dangerfield said, &uot;It’s good news for all of us.&uot;

Indeed it is.

And it wasn’t the only positive economic news in our area this week.

On Monday, the Adams County Board of Supervisors announced a new industry coming to the Miss-Lou. A California based orchid company plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to the county’s Foster Mound development site and bring with it an orchid-growing facility that should initially employ about 20 people.

Congratulations to all of the folks who helped recruit the company to relocate here.

Pardon the pun, but planting such a seed may soon bloom into big business for the area in lots of ways. The Foster Mound site still has lots of room for other industries.

And, although it hurts our pocketbook each time we fill up our car’s tank, the continued rise in oil prices may eventually offer a little relief to the area’s troubled oil industry.

We hope the recent economic improvements are only the beginning of what’s to come.