In under two weeks, the staff of the Albert Lea Tribune will be completed with our annual Progress edition.

This special section is by far the single largest section the Tribune puts out, and the amount of hours the news and advertising crews put into it is staggering. The reason is simple — because we want to show off the progress Albert Lea and the area make each year.

However, this year, as we count down the days and hours until we send this section to press, it can be understood if some are worried about the progress Albert Lea is actually making in the wake of the closing of Herberger’s, Sterling Drug and Shopko Pharmacy, as well the anxiety of Shopko as a whole declaring bankruptcy.

It’s heartbreaking for any community when a business shuts down. In Albert Lea, where an initiative to shop local took off this holiday season, a business closing can always seem like a punch to the gut.

But, Albert Lea is a resilient town and despite its losses, there is still much to be hopeful for in the community.

Albert Lea has long been a place rich in entrepreneurial spirit. There have been many new businesses starting from our own community members in the last few years. The downtown is becoming vibrant, and Albert Lea continues to have many kind-hearted, generous people who watch out for their neighbors.

These are all reasons to be proud of Albert Lea.

We look forward to you hearing about some of these stories in the upcoming Progress edition that will publish Feb. 23.

If you’ve been feeling a little down about the community, remember to keep believing.

Albert Lea and the surrounding communities still have a lot going for them.