Last summer, the announcement - by the governor, no less - that a $43-million chicken processing plant would bring hundreds of new jobs to Marion County was welcome news.
And just as significant, it would have added some diversity to the county's industrial base.
The prospect of a new plant opening in the foreseeable future was a reason to remain hopeful, even while the economy continued to decline locally and nationally.
We expect that many people, including ourselves, are disappointed by the recent announcement that Rancho Poultry will not be coming.