Economically, 2009 wasn’t a good year on Whidbey Island. But in many respects the year wasn’t wasted, as the groundwork was laid for a better future.

Oak Harbor High School, for example, opened its impressive new vocational building and its new student union building, complete with Oak Harbor’s first auditorium suitable for island-wide theatrical and musical productions. Education is the best long-term investment any community can make.

In downtown Oak Harbor, the planning was substantially finished for a makeover of Pioneer Way, with an investment of roughly $6 million to $8 million, depending on how much work is done. While the one-way street plan remains controversial, no one doubts that the historic core of Oak Harbor needs this infrastructure makeover, which will help keep businesses operating for years to come.

Island Transit is planning to improve commuter services with new buses and vans, thanks to voter support during a tough economic time. And our Sno-Isle libraries will continue to give our communities first-rate service, thanks again to the voters.

Our economic engine, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, also set itself up for a bright future. The first EA-6B “Growler” squadron was blended into the air fleet. Also, the new P-8A Poseidon, which will take over from the venerable P-3 Orion, is being test flown and is on schedule to be introduced to Whidbey in 2012. The two new airplanes guaranteed that NAS Whidbey will be a vital part of our community for years to come.

The dawn of each new year brings hope, and Whidbey Islanders have a lot or reasons to think the future will be brighter. Times have indeed been tough, but islanders haven’t been sitting on their hands waiting for things to get better. Instead, they’re working hard for a better future, and that pretty much assures it will happen, starting in 2010.