The old saying goes that “you only get one chance to make a good first impression.”

Often in life — and the business world — opinions are formed in the first few minutes and those will dictate all future interactions and viewpoints.

That general logic is likely one of the driving factors behind the decision to erect two high-tech signs for The Point industrial park in South Point.

The blue and silver, 42-foot tall lighted signs that can also feature the names of the tenants weren’t cheap and some have balked at the wisdom of spending $100,000 on these and roadway markers inside the industrial park.

The reality is that this is a small price to pay to strengthen the professional image of an industrial park that continues to grow and has had tens of millions of dollars invested in it over the years.

With the upcoming investment to create a full-blown river port, it only makes sense to put more money toward creating a marketing brand, a move that could likely pay huge dividends in job creation.

The first thing prospective developers will do is visit any sites considered for projects. When they can see the Point signage along U.S. 52, it makes a good first impression and shows that this is a facility dedicated to growth and promoting businesses.

Spending $100,000 is a small investment that could pay huge returns.