Change can sometimes be one of the most difficult, and also most rewarding, experiences of our lives.

Our area has experienced much change over the year. The loss of the steel industry is one such change which has affected us all in one way or another. What once was the lifeblood of the Upper Ohio Valley and much of the surrounding region has almost completely disappeared, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and an exodus of people from our communities.

The effects are still being felt, even as there are those who continue to look for ways to build toward a new, and hopefully brighter, future.

Our communities’ populations have ebbed and flowed. The landscapes are much different today than they were even a decade ago.

Where once stood tall, rusting structures providing employment to many, now we see vacant land ready for development.

One major success has been the establishment of Form Factory 1, which has been under commercial production for the last several months and continues to expand its footprint in Weirton’s north end.

Three Springs Drive has seen much transformation over the years, with new business plazas, new hotels, and several stand alone restaurants and retail outlets locating or relocating to the busy stretch of land.

Pietro Fiorentini opened its doors within the last decade, and, last year, Premium Guard moved into the building which previously was home to a rue21 warehouse and distribution center. Business along Park Drive has seen much change through the efforts of several points of interest.

That includes the Park Place business and residential development. Efforts are continuing to fill the business portion of the development, although I’ve been told the apartments are fully occupied at this time.

Those, of course, are some of the good changes.

We’re seeing some major changes in our school systems, especially in Hancock County.

I’m not going to use this space to point fingers, but we must acknowledge the consequences of the decisions which have led us to this point.

Within the last few days, teachers, office staff and service personnel have been finding out whether they would be losing their jobs, being transferred to another position, or able to stay where they have been.

Even those “lucky” individuals not immediately affected by these RIFs will experience changes. They are about to lose co-workers, some of whom they have known for years. Teachers able to stay are most likely to see increased class sizes. There’s a possibility some programs and services will be limited or eliminated altogether.

Our communities are going to be impacted in other ways, as well, as people, no doubt, will have to make the choice as to whether to remain local or leave the area in the search for new employment.

It’s a choice with which many of us are faced at some point in our lives, whether or not by our own choice.

I still have great hopes for our Tri-State Area of the Upper Ohio Valley.

None of what is ahead of us will be easy. There are challenges and choices we will all face.

The great thing about our communities, and it’s part of what continues to give me such hope, is the way our people finds ways to stick together through it all.

That’s a rare thing in today’s world, but it’s something we have in surplus here.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is part of the news staff of The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)