Cutting ribbons and grand openings are usually done at the start of a new business. In the case of leaders and employees at Hampton Farms Peanut Butter Plant, they wanted to have things running, ahem, smoothly before any such ceremony could take place.

As company president Dallas Barnes told the guests and employees on Friday morning, the mission is to be the best nut company today. But even when production goals are consistently being met, and all is going well, Hampton Farms is always looking for ways to improve in order to be the best.

We applaud the company for choosing Western Tidewater in striving for that goal, and hope that the company will find more ways to solidify its presence here for decades to come.

Economic development leaders such as Amanda Jarratt, as well as county and city officials, are also to be commended for doing their part to persuade Hampton Farms to establish in this area.