Economic development is a process that is frustrating to officials and citizens alike because of false starts and what often appears to be slow progress.

Many good development officials will tell you the process is more of a marathon than a sprint. Success will often come from steady progress and consistent focus as opposed to fits and starts with a varying levels of engagement.

The Lawrence Economic Development Corp. offered a annual snapshot earlier this week as to where its energies have been focused and where the entity is headed.

The report was certainly encouraging because it showed much is being done, especially in The Point industrial park, the county’s premier location for industrial development sites.

Work continues on projects to add buildings and fill them with tenants who provide jobs and taxes to the county coffers.

With hints that a big development could be announced in the near future, 2012 could be a big year.

Critics of the LEDC will say that the agency does not work for all of Lawrence County, instead only caring about South Point. Although that has been the area of greatest success because the resources and available property, the LEDC is often working behind the scenes in Ironton and elsewhere.

The LEDC also offers a solid blueprint for success that other agencies should try to emulate, a strategy that revolves around acquiring marketable property, improving the infrastructure and having ready-to-go facilities for potential tenants.

Others should look at what the LEDC is doing right find a way to duplicate that.