Like Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, we’ve got our fingers crossed that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco signs off on funding that would bring millions of dollars to the parish for a variety of projects &045; including economic development, a riverfront welcome center and Ferriday downtown revitalization.

Blanco has a line-item veto for the budget and capital outlay bills, but apparently the signs are good that she will approve the funding, which would include money for the Vidalia Industrial Park.

That is especially important this week as Copeland said he and other officials continue to negotiate with unnamed companies that would require state money to help them locate here. Kudos to parish officials for working so hard on the projects.

Watching a state press conference on a new tank car manufacturing plant locating in Alexandria, we couldn’t help but hope that some of that good fortune will soon rub off on Concordia Parish &045; and for that matter, the whole Miss-Lou.

But we need the help of state officials &045; both in Louisiana and Mississippi &045; as well as federal leaders to land deals.

Our economic development officials on both sides of the river are working night and day to get new industries here, but our relationships with state and federal leaders are often key to getting the right funding for projects.

We need Louisiana and Mississippi leaders to turn their attention to Concordia Parish, Adams County and our neighbors, which have suffered thousands of job losses in recent years.

We are working hard to do our part, but we need their support as well.