Last Sunday we ran our second edition highlighting local agri-business and produced a special section called "Moving Forward."

We are more than happy finally to be able to give our local agri-business its proper prominence upon our pages again.

Agri-business was and continues to be the solid future of Newton County.

We salute the farmers and families of farmers of this county because without their efforts and personal strength, we would not be poised to bounce back from the recession we have endured recently.

The Moving Forward section honored those that have taken a chance to invest in the future of our city and county. We feel we are indeed in the position to embark on an economic revival here in Newton County. In addition to the agri-business community, we would like to thank the many local small business entrepreneurs who have become the backbone of growth in our community.

The great news for all of us is that the backbone has bent, but it has not broken.

Newton County is a great community, and we are proud to serve it.