News last week that the Federal Bureau of Prisons would not renew its contract with the Adams County Correctional Center located off of U.S. 84 was a shocking blow to our community.

The 2,232-bed, $120-million facility, managed by CoreCivic, employs more than 350 people in the area and houses mostly immigrants charged with entering the United States illegally.

Despite the news, community leaders advise people to remain positive.

The current contract does not end until July 31 and could be extended to the end of the year. CoreCivic is actively seeking a contract to replace the lost federal prison contract.

The facility, built a little more than a decade ago, is a great asset and investment for CoreCivic.

Walking away from that investment is not feasible for CoreCivic, said Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez Inc.

We believe Russ is right, and we too will remain optimistic that CoreCivic will find a way to keep the facility operating and to keep as many of the workers employed there as possible.

We also are optimistic that Vidalia Denim and Syrah Technologies are on the verge of opening operations in facilities across the river in Vidalia that will employ approximately the same number of people that the prison currently employs.

Perhaps displaced prison workers can find suitable employment at one of those facilities.

In the meantime, however, we wish CoreCivic success in landing a new contract for the correctional facility.