Isle of Wight supervisors voted Thursday to allow partnering with a private company to continue developing the intermodal park in Windsor.

It was another big step in the county’s continued smart maneuvering since the announcement of International Paper Co.’s Franklin mill and — if done correctly — will benefit Isle of Wight citizens and coffers tremendously.

The Shirley T. Holland Intermodal Park has been in development with public funds for 10 years. High hopes have been placed on this project and for good reason. It could foster economic development, bolster tax revenue and create much-needed jobs for the area.

A private-sector partner would bring another level of expertise to the table, and take some of the financial burden off already burdened taxpayers.

While the request for proposals project could take a year, the county is wasting no time in doing what it can to make the park more attractive to those possible private-sector partners.

According to Economic Development Director Lisa Perry, rezoning and infrastructure improvements will “maximize the value of the property.”

The value down the road seems almost certain.