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As the business community in our region pins its hopes on economic recovery, the future is uncertain.
Yet there is hope.
By that we are not surprised.
As a community, our region historically has been blessed with people determined to overcome huge challenges.
We have mustered troops in the name of freedom from the American Revolution to modern times.
We have dealt with harsh weather and economic collapse (remember the Great Depression?) to rebuild, reinvent and reopen.
Among our biggest selling points are a strong work ethic among our citizens and a quality of life that is certain -- world-class outdoors activities, clean air, an abundance of farms and locally grown food, community-minded people and those who give even when they have little for themselves.
Our people step up.
Every time.
As a community, we have supported small business and entrepreneurship.
We have watched as our downtowns -- not just in Williamsport but in places like Muncy, Wellsboro and Lock Haven -- have worked to reinvent themselves in recent years as attractive places for small business to thrive.
That in a day when nationally downtowns were declared dead. Yet the downtowns have found ways to thrive. There is no reason to believe that will not be the case again. Rather it's a question of when.
As a community, we will heed the call of our local businesses as they navigate the uncharted waters ahead.
Many have found new ways of doing an amount of business, even if limited, during this shutdown while others have been totally shuttered for the time being.
Jason Fink, president of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, is optimistic. Since this began, he has seen people banding together with a resolve to get back to business as soon as our government allows.
Employers value their employees, he told the Sun-Gazette. "Many of them never expected to see them on unemployment." That is an indication that our employers want to call back to work those who have been furloughed. It may take time. And it may require some retooling at individual businesses.
It also will require the local community to respond when the time comes. While it may happen in phases, we believe that, too, will happen.
While people have been sitting at home, surely they miss the friendly faces they encounter at these establishments, not to mention quality craftsmanship and goods.
Yes, North Central Pennsylvania, we can overcome this challenge of a lifetime.
Let's be smart and safe first, but let's do business -- soon!