We applaud the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce’s decision to bring in a professional Main Street consultant to talk with local business owners and to advise the chamber on how to make our Main Street program more effective.

The consultant, Sharlene Cannon, has 20 years of experience in dealing with Main Street programs and with issues that confront owners of small businesses.

And, though we may very well have a good candidate to lead the Main Street program right here in our own backyard, we are pleased that chamber president Hunter Hall said the chamber is going to cast a wide net in looking for new leadership for the program.

We are excited by the continued success of our city’s Main Street program, and we’re encouraged that our civic and business leaders continue to seek ways to make the Main Street program more effective, not only for businesses around the downtown square, but for the entire community.