There is no question that Tuesday’s Intermet/Ironton Iron announcement is bad news for Ironton.

Wednesday, December 08, 1999

There is no question that Tuesday’s Intermet/Ironton Iron announcement is bad news for Ironton. This will be the third major industry to announce cuts or closing in the last couple of years.

And there will be a tendency for some people to give up when they hear that another business has decided to leave the city.

But while that seems like the conclusion to draw from this week’s announcement, Ironton residents should take heart. Losing a major manufacturing interest in a community does not have to be its death knell.

Ironton has a lot to offer potential industrial interests. This is a town with access to amenities without the high costs associated with larger cities. This is also a safe community with a low crime rate and good people.

And, most importantly, there are plenty of people here who want to work and have demonstrated long allegiance and pride in their jobs.

There are even a couple of empty buildings just waiting for the right tenant to come along.

Ironton is only going to roll up its sidewalks if its residents do. This is a time to mourn a passing, but to look ahead to the future and to make plans.

And that is where the city’s leaders should step in.

Ironton City Council and the mayor should be ready to lead the discussions on what’s next, and be ready to push as many county and state officials as possible to get help reaching those goals.

And residents can participate, too. If you have an idea on what the city’s next step should be, now is the time to suggest it. Now is not the time for destructive criticism. This community needs to band together. United, there is no foe Ironton residents cannot defeat.

Intermet/Ironton Iron’s news was not good, but the consequences of that announcement are entirely up to those who call this city home. Let’s get to work.