Residents of our city and, really, the region as a whole owe thanks to the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

As reported in the weekend edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, the Chamber will contribute funding for the Little League Classic, the Major League Baseball game played at Bowman Field next to Williamsport’s Memorial Park, to defray the burden the game’s security needs place on our municipality.

The Little League Classic is a boon for our communities — a Major League Baseball game played in our mostly rural countryside, further tying the birthplace of Little League Baseball to the history of America’s pastime. We believe it should be a source of civic pride.

It also is another chance, as the Little League World Series is, to display the character and values that make our region special to the world. In an era when every American community is competing — for job creation, for developers’ dollars to invest in meeting communities’ housing needs, for young families deciding where they will build their lives and careers — the opportunities to show why families should want to build those lives and careers here is critical.

With these opportunities come costs. We are grateful the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce is assisting our city in addressing those expenses, so that this game can continue to showcase what makes Williamsport and Lycoming County special.