The Black Belt is about to see some light.

For so many years, the Black Belt of Alabama has been considered as a red-headed stepchild with no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel.

Now thanks to the efforts of organizations such as the Ford Foundation and Alabama Power, the Black Belt has a pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow.

The Black Belt Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)3 entity is hoping to come to the rescue of the counties that reside in the Black Belt. According to Tuesday’s edition of The Times-Journal their mission statement states, &uot;Our mission is to forge a collective stream of giving from the community and other sources so we, the people of the Black Belt, can enhance our continuing efforts to lift ourselves by taking what we have to make what we need.&uot;

Just because this area in which we proudly live and others mock is not as prosperous as, say, Jefferson County or Shelby County does not mean that the Black Belt cannot pull itself out of the lengthy rut which has confined counties such as Dallas, Perry, Wilcox and Marengo.

As the Community Development Corp. outlines in its mission statement, we seek to lift ourselves up by making use of what we already have.

For those that are not familiar with what is in this area, we are tops among the state in unemployment. That can be looked at negatively, but in an optimistic view it means we have the people that are willing and looking for work. That is inviting to say an industry or even retail businesses that are looking to relocate.

The effects that will come from this new foundation will not be felt this month or the next, but with individuals such as Ted Henry and others leading the efforts The Times-Journal is very optimistic about the benefits that will come to fruition due to this new foundation.

We would like to thank those who have contributed and those who will in the future.

We are also very excited that the foundation has found a home in Selma.