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Thursday was one of those days that we have been so desperately needing in Carroll County.

It is always a joyous occasion whenever there is a major economic development announcement. In itself, the fact that Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores will bring 70 to 90 jobs to Carroll County is reason for much celebration. The planned truck stop off Interstate 77’s Exit 1 in Lambsburg will also bring a McDonald’s, a Subway, and $7 million to $9 million of capital investment with it.

And while the announcement is a great thing, it’s even more exciting when you consider the development’s implications for the future of the county. As an undeveloped interchange, the potential Exit 1 will hold once the water and sewer services are realized is tremendous. Carroll County native Greg Crowder, who is behind the development, says a hotel is already planning to locate behind the truck stop. As he put it Thursday, once the initial ground is broken, businesses will be lining up follow.

County officials continue to work to further develop Exit 8 in Fancy Gap and Exit 19 in Wildwood, where utility projects continue to progress. Hopefully, Thursday’s announcement will be just the start of many more in Carroll County.