I am horrible at keeping promises to myself.

That is why I hate the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Between the holidays, most people look back at the past year and begin making resolutions for the year to come.

I am no different. Each year, I inevitably make promises to myself that I know I will not keep.

Whether it is the optimism that comes with a new calendar or the thought that maybe this year I can do better than last year, I don’t really know.

But like most people, I set out to make that annual promise to myself. And like most people, I will fail to keep that promise.

According to the USA.gov Web site, the most popular New Year’s resolution people make each year is battling that ever-expanding waistline.

In fact, out of the top 10 most popular New Year’s resolutions, five of them have to do with exercise, eating right and being more healthy.

Not one who is very good at making resolutions, I wondered if there was ever an instance when an expanding waistline was a good thing.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel good about growing into another size?

Well I think I have found at least one instance where expanding is a good thing and I found it on the streets of Natchez and Vidalia.

In the past couple of days I have had an opportunity to drive through most of the Miss-Lou and everywhere I turned my head was evidence that the area is growing.

Natchez and Vidalia are expanding their waistlines, and that is a good thing.

Construction sites are popping up all over the area.

Take Natchez for example.

In downtown, a new hotel is being built on Canal Street. New stores are filling buildings that have been vacant for years.

Downtown Natchez is beginning to see evidence of the groundwork put in place over the past decade.

But downtown is only one area where Natchez is expanding its waistline.

South of the Mississippi River bridge, a multi-million dollar complex is being built for the Grand Soleil casino and hotel. A stone’s throw away, another new hotel is beginning to take shape, with the Hampton Inn already open for business just up the way.

Just down John R. Junkin Drive, the Natchez Mall is expanding with the addition of an office supply store.

On U.S. 61 south of town, land is being cleared to make way for new business and residential areas.

Later this year, the new Stine home center will be open for business.

On the other side of town, evidence of growth is beginning to show, as well.

A new strip mall will be a welcome addition to the businesses on U.S. 61 North. Like areas south of town, land north of town is also being cleared in the expectation of new businesses.

Out in the county, Corrections Corporation of America is building a 1,668 bed prison facility.

And if you thought Natchez was the only town experiencing a little growth, take a quick trip across the Mississippi River bridge.

Not only is the new Vidalia Wal-Mart well into its second year, other new businesses are also setting up shop.

A big new Mexican restaurant is being built on Carter Street, construction of the new Promise Hospital is just beginning and a new Holiday Inn Express is in the works.

With the evidence of construction all over the Miss-Lou, it seems that Natchez and surrounding areas have added a few pounds in the past year.

With Rentech and a third casino on the horizon, the area may need to let its belt out a few more notches.

As for me, I will stick to my New Year’s resolution to exercise more and eat better.

I will start next Wednesday, I promise.

Ben Hillyer is the web editor of The Democrat. He can be reached at 604-445-3540 or ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.