Delighted with the good news from Firestone, plus Nibroc and 70% vaccinated

We are delighted with the $51 million expansion in Williamsburg of Firestone Industrial Products that will add 250 jobs. Think of what 250 jobs will mean to the area.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

Obviously it will mean employment for that many people, but the effects of those being employed will mean additional housing, more money spent at the grocery store, on gasoline, in restaurants, and the list goes on and on.

It will be a huge shot in the arm to our economy. Add to this expansion the Cumberland Mint Historical wagering/off track betting facility currently under construction in Williamsburg and the Cumberland Run race track being built in Corbin which will employ several hundred more workers and this area has a bright future.

• The annual Nibroc Festival will be held next week. It was cancelled last year because of Covid-19. This will be the 69th year of the festival.

As a 12 year old boy I remember the first one. The carnival was set up at 7th and Main Street. With most of the businesses located downtown the festival took on a community approach.

The early years saw employees at the downtown businesses getting involved. Store windows were decorated, there were beard growing contests for men, women dressed up in old fashion wear. It was basically a local affair.

With businesses moving to the new shopping centers and store buildings being vacated the festival had a period of rough sledding.

It was the concerts that attracted big name entertainers that brought it back to life. There were many big name stars including Rick Springfield, STYX, Joan Jett, 38 Special, Blake Shelton, the Temptations, and Johnny Rivers, to name a few.

Festival director Bruce Carpenter worked overtime in getting businesses to support the free concerts and thousands attended them. He was assisted by many volunteer workers and Nibroc was one of the best festivals in the state.

My favorite festival was the 50th anniversary event. That year we had Corbin native Gary Edwards performing along with the pride of East Bernstadt, Carl Hurley. The weather was perfect and for the first time the event was held on Main Street.

When I was a few years younger I helped Bruce and I found out just how hard he worked and how many hours he spent making the festival successful.

Now, after being down last year because of Covid-19, it is taking extra effort to regenerate the activities. The carnival and the vendors will be here and although we are not back to affording the big name stars the festival will have good entertainment.

Next week the News Journal will have a schedule of events to help you plan your involvement. Even though the coronavirus is still with us, by being outside we can have the festival.

Also, according to CBS News, I am delighted to report that 70% of American adults have at least one shot of the vaccine. But the bad news is the number of COVID cases is now higher than during last summer’s peak.

I am also delighted with the response I got from my column on the coronavirus. Those who had been vaccinated praised me and those that had not been vaccinated blasted me.

My opinions are based on facts I learn from scientists and doctors I see reporting on the various news shows on television.

Every week I record Face the Nation, Meet the Press and This Week with George Stephanopoulos that bring the most knowledgeable people on the virus, plus I watch the morning and evening news daily to hear the reports on the pandemic.

I am happy to report that one person told me they decided to get the vaccination after reading my column. That also delights me. Even though the vaccination doesn’t mean that person won’t get the coronavirus, it does mean if she does it will be less severe and not life threatening.

It makes no sense to debate this issue. Just look at the numbers and it is obvious that the pandemic is getting worse and the unvaccinated are the ones who are suffering the most. Please get the shot, if not for yourself, get it for others you contact, especially children.