Earlier this month I had the privilege of representing the Marietta Area Chamber at the Blennerhassett Bridge Dedication.  We traveled by bus along the Ohio River on the West Virginia side.  Suddenly the bridge came into view. What an incredible sight!  From the heights one truly sees the broad expanse of that mighty waterway as it flows through a lush valley.  Along each side can be seen the many facilities that turned the Mid-Ohio into a manufacturing powerhouse and still continue contributing much to our economy.  

 

Spanning the river and valley with grace and strength is the new bridge.  It is one more link between West Virginia and Ohio.  Governor Joe Manchin described the Blennerhassett Bridge as a bridge to the future.  Certainly it provides a bridge to the future for Washington and Wood Counties as it links Appalachian Ohio in both easterly and westerly directions. 

 

 

 

As I’ve traveled along the Ohio side, I’ve watched the bridge go up.  Tons of earth were moved, massive girders were lifted high, more concrete than is imaginable was poured, and gradually a bridge took shape.  The bridge is an engineering feat and serves a very practical purpose: getting people and goods from one side of the Ohio River to the other. But there’s another aspect to this latest addition to our local landscape.  It’s an expression of man’s creativity and artistic yearnings.  While it is a bridge meant to bear heavy loads, it also soars above the valley, suspended like lace across the river waters.

 

 

 

Look at the bridge, marvel at what man has accomplished and start to visualize what will be in the future. For too long Appalachia has been viewed as unconnected, out of reach, out of touch, remote and isolated.  To many who live in metropolitan areas, Appalachia seems inaccessible with few highways transversing the region. Opening the Blennerhassett Bridge opens up our region as we can now easily travel east and west as well as north and south.

 

 

 

Being part of this ceremony is one of the “perks” of my job at the chamber.  It’s fun to be included in this momentous occasion and I rejoice when good things come to our Mid-Ohio Valley.  The Chamber also is pleased to participate in ribbon-cuttings for new businesses in our community.  This month Lori Smith, Member Services Director and the Chamber Ambassadors will be welcoming four new businesses.  On Saturday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. we will be at Northwest Territory Outfitters (Canoe & Kayak Rentals) cutting the ribbon at the Harbor on the Muskingum River.  We’ll walk up the block and welcome Old Town Bakery on Front Street at 11 a.m.

 

  

 

On Friday, June 27, we travel to Titan Specialties LTD on State Route 821 for an open house beginning at 11 o’clock.  We end the month welcoming Miss Pea’s Tutoring on   the corner of Gilman & Maple at 1 o’clock on Saturday, June 28.

 

 

 

The Chamber welcomes these new businesses. They add so much to our economic well-being and we wish them much success. Like the Blennerhassett Bridge, these new business are also part of the bridge to our future.