To the benefit of us all, the mega ramps first proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue will come to fruition Wednesday.

The next morning, approximately 400 fishermen will compete on Lake Seminole for the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open Tournament.

Icing on the cake is that two more big fishing tournaments will follow in the coming weekends, with one that includes a barbecue tournament where competitors are fighting for a birth in the Kansas City Royal Championship.

Things are starting to ramp up here in Bainbridge.

The city’s contribution toward the improved ramps are just part of the story in making Bainbridge and Decatur County a national outdoorman’s destination.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also investing in improvements at such landings as Hale’s Landing and others, where old one-lane ramps are being replaced with two lanes.

These improvements are steps toward recognizing that Lake Seminole and its tributaries are resources worth investing in and preserving.

So when the governor visits us today, thank him for having foresight—the foresight to invest in such projects at the mega ramps and the purchase of Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Thank him for having the foresight that perhaps the best rural development we can have is to preserve and invest in what nature has given us.