Even the name — captains of commerce — sounds like something you would read in a comic book, but there is nothing funny about the initiative to bring community leaders together on a local level in an effort to fight unemployment.

This program, put together by the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, is designed to bring community leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals together to talk about ways to fight the problem that continues to impact millions of Americans and thousands of Ohioans and Lawrence Countians.

Anything that creates a dialogue about the most pressing problem facing our nation is a positive step. For far too long, local government and communities have looked towards the state and federal level for relief.

Those days have to end now because state and federal governments are facing financial crises on a much larger scale and are looking at cuts pretty much across the board.

It remains to be seen what tangible results a group like this can create, but for the first time we are trying to do something about the problem right here at home.

Anyone who would like to be part of the discussion should contact Bob Smith at the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce office at 740-377-4550.

It may just take a little investment of time that could pay dividends for the future of our county, our state and our nation.