The time is rapidly approaching for Helena-West Helena and the Phillips County community to put up or shut up. On the surface that statement bay seem a little harsh or brash but think about it.

For almost three decades now, this area of the Delta has been trying to pull itself up by the bootstraps out of a hole that was dug when the family farms practically went belly up. For almost 30 years, Helena-West Helena and Phillips County have been trying to come up with a viable industry to come here and take roots. It simply hasn’t happened.

Now, opportunity is once again knocking on the door and it will be interesting to see if the locals are willing to open the door. This Saturday, civic leaders will officially unveil the city’s Civil War Interpretive Plan. In a nutshell, the plan will heavily promote Helena’s rich Civil War heritage as a tourism tool.