Concordia Parish is celebrating this week as a rubber recycling plant agreed to open in the Vidalia Industrial Park.

The project &045;&045; a partnership between Vidalia, Ferriday and the state &045;&045; would bring up to 130 jobs in the first three years.

This is great news for the parish and for the entire Miss-Lou. While the plant will be located in Vidalia, it will certainly benefit the entire area.

This project shows the value in basic economic development tools.

Vidalia and Ferriday, first of all, have formed a partnership to recruit industry, with both towns funding the Economic Development District and both mayors cooperating on economic development. That partnership must certainly be an asset as industries look at the area.

Vidalia is also developing a new industrial park, and TXEL will be the first tenant. Having such a place to show off to companies looking to move or expand can help them see the possibilities &045;&045; literally &045;&045; in a community.

Also, the Concordia project has had the support of state officials. Gov. Kathleen Blanco, said Mayor Glen McGlothin, pledged her support to do what it takes to get the new company in the parish.

With the December unemployment rate in Concordia Parish at 12.5 percent, we are ripe for new industry. While such a high jobless rate hurts us in the short term &045;&045; and certainly hurts those who are looking for employment &045;&045; it can help attract the attention of companies who are looking to expand.

We’ll continue to keep our fingers crossed that other new industries are just around the corner.