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By Andrew Harris

Last week will go down in Wellsville history as “the” turning point.

Our long-beleagured industrial economy has been changing, improving and growing quickly. The pandemic seemed to accelerate the good economic news, if real estate sales and sales tax revenue are any indication. In that same time period quite a big of progress has occurred, click to read our previous reporting:

The former “Air-Preheater”, now Arvos/Ljungstrom, industrial facility has enjoyed a resurgence in the renewable energy market. A big HELP WANTED sign hangs at the entrance and recent graduates from high school and trade school now have a job waiting. “Runnings,” a popular department store with a rural focus is now preparing to open in the newly rehabilitated Riverwalk location left vacant by Kmart. Walgreen’s has built a new, modern “drive-thru” style store. The popular regional gas-n-go store “Quicklee’s” is all set to build a brand new store on Bolivar Road, which will include a very big deal: Tim Horton’s Coffee. To the rear of that soon-to-be-built Quicklee’s store, BSI International operates a growing engineering and manufactuaring business that has made a long-term committment to Wellsville. Just last week the good news seemed another dream come true: Kinley Corporation has started a new chapter at the former “Dresser Rand” which has been left vacant for years after a depressing, drawn-out closure. Kinley’s new business enterprise seeks to utilize the skilled labor pool that remains in Wellsville and bring the facility back to its former glory. And don’t forget about the “Old Depot!!” The railroad station that has defined Wellsville since the trains started running through the village is slated for a rehabilitation and revival. If there was ever a symbol for this narrative of a small town enjoying a resurgence, the “Old Depot,” is it.

Jones Memorial Hospital is in the midst of a generational expansion and upgrade. Fears of losing our rural hospital have faded with the partnership with the University of Rochester. The current investment is the sign of a major committment to Wellsville and Allegany county. This is essential for economic expansion.

Armstrong has recently finished major fiber optic installations all over the Southern Tier, bringing high speed internet to many of our rural locations. Also essential to economic…