It is refreshing to see some good news about the local economy.

We are heartened by the just-released report that the tourism industry is growing in Newton County and Covington.

The revenue produced by this industry is the best kind of future growth revenue.

It is clean, it keeps local hotels and food establishments going and it produces increased tax revenue, which in turn can be reinvested into searching for new business to relocate to our county. It's a real win-win for everyone.

In some more positive news, the chamber reports that the leaders of 10 economic projects have taken a look at our community.

We are not sure we are seeing any light at the end of our slow economic tunnel, but we are more than pleased that our local business and community leaders are digging away at the ugly blockage of that tunnel as fast as they can.