Want proof that Southern Ohio is a viable location for business and industry to grow? Look no farther than the Liebert company’s Ironton facility.

Liebert, and its parent company Emerson, recently announced plans to purchase the facility that it has leased for the past 10 years and push an expansion that will potentially add as many as 120 jobs over the next three years.

The naysayers and the critics have continued to sound the death knell for Lawrence County and Southern Ohio. Much like Mark Twain quipped, “The rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated.”

Liebert is a shining example that a company can be successful here, that the workforce is trainable and that prosperity is attainable.

Although there are still some hurdles before this expansion that has been dreamed of for many years becomes a reality, the bottom line is that Liebert has shown a commitment to Lawrence County and Southern Ohio.

They should be commended for that and applauded for their efforts to make that long-term investment in job retention and growth.

When it comes to seeking a topic for the “Good News, Good Neighbors” feature, there is not a better choice than a company that has shown it will be a good corporate citizen and is bringing much-needed jobs to this community.