Somewhere the golden shovels are probably being painted in anticipation of Thursday’s big event. But the real celebration will keep going far beyond the ceremonial dirt throw.

County and state leaders will gather together later this week on a dusty construction site in eastern Adams County to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the new private prison.

Corrections Corporation of America has been working on the site’s infrastructure for weeks, but Thursday’s event will mark the ceremonial start.

CCA made a commitment to the area in April, after a public attempt to send the matter to a vote failed to win enough support. The move was a silent veto of sorts to the effort and a move that signaled a revived interest in being open-minded to anything that brings economic development to the area.

While the prison development is important, what’s more important is the change in attitude that it signals.

Adams County is open for business.

All of the economic development efforts in the world will fall flat if the people in the community are not behind the efforts.

After this week’s celebration is over, and the golden shovels are relegated to prized spots in the corners of offices and the like, the celebration should continue.

Natchez-Adams County is ready for new business and that’s worthy of a celebration every single day going forward.