When all of the hoopla surrounding the recent announcement of a new renewable chemicals business coming to Adams County wanes, clarity over what it may mean to our community will begin to take shape.

Investments that the county and state will make into Adams County Port are significant, both in the short term and the long term.

Port improvements will top more than $13.5 million by the time phase two of Elevance Renewable Sciences is finished at the port. The first phase will come through state and county resources — backed by the fees Elevance will pay for both port services as well as its annual payment in lieu of property tax.

Phase two will bring $7 million in port improvements, all funded by Elevance.

In the end, the port will be poised not only to serve Elevance’s needs, but also to become a truly world-class river port which may be used to lure more industrial prospects to our area.

Such infrastructure improvements seem smart and we hope that as additional funds come in, our community leaders are wise enough not to merely spend the funds, but to continue rolling that newfound revenue into additional resources and infrastructure that will help further economic development.

Like a small snowball, Elevance and the infrastructure investments it brings, has begun rolling down the hill, it’s our job to be smart and keep it rolling.