Community and economic development can have much in common with a stalled automobile — both are difficult to get moving from a standstill.

Natchez-Adams County’s economic development engine was more than stalled a couple of years ago. It was downright dysfunctional — mainly due to the complete lack of communication between all sides.

In 2009, lots of people — led by the business community and in particular the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce — began pushing on the stalled entity.

In the process, not only did the wheels begin to move again, but the engine was also overhauled in the process.

Now, two years later, Natchez Inc., the public-private partnership that leads the county’s economic development, is beginning to cruise along under its own power.

In the last couple of months, two significant economic development announcements have surfaced and, although we’re realistic in thinking that pace likely cannot be sustained, it’s reasonable to believe that more are in the works.

Quite honestly, the momentum of the two recent announcements makes a huge difference. Success breeds success, and we have no doubt that now that the wheels of progress are rolling, our community has more good things coming its way soon.

Working together and making sure our system stays well maintained will keep us running for a long time to come.