Aside from a few stimulus road projects, construction hasn’t been booming around town for sometime now.

A down economy typically has that effect.

But, thankfully, the two colleges that anchor the Miss-Lou on either side have found ways to push for growth, development and construction.

Natchez celebrated last month when Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus opened the doors to its new health and science building.

Monday, Concordia Parish can smile when Louisiana Technical College’s Shelby M. Jackson campus breaks ground on work of its own.

The $5.2 million project will include an 11,500-square-foot addition to the nursing school in the campus’ main building and renovations to the existing 10,900 square feet of the building.

Sometimes it’s difficult to be optimistic when dollars are tight, but work at these schools reminds us that brighter days will come, and we’d better spend time today preparing for tomorrow.

Co-Lin used sound money management and tax support from the local government to expand. A state government that appropriated money for educational growth blesses LTC.

Either way, construction is good for the campuses, good for the community and a good way to build optimism.

Congratulations to each school. We’ll continue to enjoy watching you grow.