Point of fact: Any time you can get the state’s attention for doing something good, you’ve done it right.

Any town the size of Austin wants the state to know what it offers. They want the chance to brag — we are a destination.

That’s why the news coming out of Luverne, Minnesota, Friday night that Austin will be the host site for the ninth annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunt Opener is so big.

Like its neighbors South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin; hunting, fishing and outdoors is highly profitable to the residents of Minnesota, so Austin’s coming turn at hosting this opener is a target date for hunters to come to our area where they will spend their time and spend their money. It is a boost to our community, a spotlight that says, “Come to Austin, we’ll take care of you.”

Hundreds of people will converge for the two-day event filled with, of course, hunting, but so much more.

Nancy Schnable, executive director of Discover Austin, MN hit the nail on the head.

“We want to showcase Austin and our Minnesota Nice reputation,” she said. “Highlight some of the initiatives our community has for residents as well as visitors.”

The nice thing about an event like this is it’s overarching effects and the boost it will have in other areas.

In its proposal, those involved had to submit — among a host of other items — the area which the hunt would take place in. That area includes 2,415 acres of conservation and private land in both Mower and Freeborn Counties located in a 10 mile radius.

That means that hunters and others visiting the area will get not only a taste of what Austin offers, but this area in general. And that’s not even mentioning how close this radius comes to Blooming Prairie in Steele County and Hayfield in Dodge County.

This is a chance to make an impression on hunters and keep them coming back to our area. Establish a continued relationship that can pay off for all parties in the future.

In short, there is no downside to this exciting news for the city of Austin, that has been recognized both state and nationwide already for its friendliness and welcoming nature.

We, as a community, should want visitors to Austin. We should be excited to share our community. The proposal revealed a host of entities coming together to help sell a proud community.

The Austin Daily Herald, without question, looks forward to this opportunity and supports the now busy task of selling the benefits of Austin as well as the event itself.

This is good news and over the next year we hope it doesn’t go unnoticed that Austin is the place to be.