Considering 2012 marks my third year behind the cubicle, so to speak, for The Evening Sun’s annual publication of Progress Chenango, I must admit I’m not all that surprised by the success stories contained therein. Simply put, things seem to be turning around for many of our area businesses and the stories contained within the pages (all 72 of them) of Progress are proof of that.

NBT Bank President and CEO Martin Dietrich said it best, I think, in Section 3 of Progress, which hit the newsstands yesterday.

“Locally, I think there are a lot of reasons to feel optimistic and we have some strong businesses that are helping to drive our economy forward. Not all areas of the state are so fortunate ... we have a cadre of really solid businesses here.”

Exactly.

And while Progress truly is a monumental undertaking for all involved, it is – in the end – always a worthy one. For one thing, it’s nice to focus on the positive once in awhile. In my humble opinion, however, it’s more than that. For me, as a reporter, it’s getting to know these local businesses a little (actually a lot) better and meeting the people behind the scenes that keep them up and running.

That, my friends, is what Progress is all about.