Saving money seems to be in the forefront of everyone’s mind lately, even with the national economy on a slow upward crawl.

City leaders spoke to the members of Picayune Main Street recently about community development projects like sidewalks and new street signs and how the city has been able to put money aside for a rainy day. In addition, fixing the city’s natural gas lines reduced the amount of waste.

Last week, Pearl River Central School District Superintendent Alan Lumpkin enumerated several ways the district has sought to reduce expenditures, including donations from local businesses and grants. The district is also hoping voters approve a $17 million bond to build a series of new classrooms and facilities that will sustain future enrollment growth.

With county leaders looking to promote economic development, revenues could rise in the future. But, for now, the school district and all local governmental bodies have to make preparations if it’s going to have growing room.

And the only way those preparations can be made is if government officials are as conservative with the revenue as possible.

All across the state, revenue seems to be falling short of expectations, leaving local governments with half empty pockets. No one wants a tax increase, but we all want our cities to prosper.

So, we commend the efforts of the city, school and county officials who are finding ways to save where they can, and spend what is necessary to make our community grow.

If the county’s efforts to promote economic development are successful, you can be sure projects like road repair, public building renovation/construction and beautification efforts will be needed more than ever.