Listen to the naysayers, and you might think Natchez and the Miss-Lou had a bad year in 2004.

Still recovering from the closing of International Paper and other industries, our economy is struggling.

But it doesn’t take much to see that the glass is half-full, and things can only get better in 2005.

We have a new industry that will begin construction early next year, as metal fabrication company Venco has promised to bring 50 jobs to the Adams County Port.

We have new efforts at beautification in the city of Natchez and new plans for recreation and other development in Vidalia.

The Natchez Air Show kicked off in 2004, a new event to draw visitors to our community and draw attention to the value of our airport.

Meanwhile, Pilgrimage had better numbers this year, and the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race had some of its best weather in years.

We’ve seen new partnerships develop &045;&045; between the school system and the Natchez Boys & Girls Club to help boost test scores and achievement; between Natchez Pilgrimage Tours and the city to help sell tickets at the visitors center; between Natchez aldermen and beautification volunteers.

And one of the best ideas we’ve seen in this year or any other in Natchez is one that is homegrown: Mississippi River Corp. has developed a recycled-paper beverage cup for Starbucks, an idea that could yield greater business for the local company.

We have an important year ahead. And we clearly have the ingenuity, the attitude and the desire to make things even better.

So let’s get started.