When you take a drive through McCook's business district, it doesn't take long to realize that the town has a problem.

The problem -- more glaring in some places than others -- is that McCook has too many vacant business buildings. The problem didn't crop up overnight. Some of the storefronts have been empty for years, but recent developments have pushed the empty building situation to the serious stage.

The topper was when the huge Ben Franklin store closed. With Dick Mitchell's retirement as the store's operator, the downtown business district suddenly found itself with an additional 16,000 square feet to fill.

Prior to that, McCook had added two gaping holes when Casey's bought -- and closed -- the two Gas 'n Shop convenience stores on B Street, the local route that carries U.S. Highways 6-34-83 traffic through town.

By themselves, the Ben Franklin and Gas 'n Shop vacancies would have been significant, but they represent only a portion of the empty building problem.

Around the town, there are other vacant business locations, including buildings formerly occupied by Mexico Lindo, Hanson Law Office, Bunstock Conoco, Fireside Inn, Red Horse Motel, Self Service Furniture, Reflections, Royal Motel, McCook Vac & Sew, McCook Farm Equipment, Harmon Grain Products and West Ward school.

Other vacancies have been created by relocations, such as the moves by Gary's Country Peddler, Samway Floor Covering & Furniture, Western Tire and Wal-Mart. Still other moves are in progress, with Sears going to Westview Plaza (in the former Stage and Wal-Mart site) and Sun Tanners looking for a location to replace their former Norris Avenue spot.

In addition to all this, the Keystone Hotel still stands vacant, although plans are in motion to remodel it for 21st Century Systems and other businesses.

Ironically, progress is part of the reason for the vacant building problem. On one hand, new buildings are being built -- for businesses such as Lifetime Eye Care, Viaero and U-Save Pharmacy & Medical Supply -- but on the other hand current space will become vacant, such as the buildings now occupied by McCook Eye Clinic and McCook Pharmacy & Medical Supply.

The vacant building problem has been overlooked for too long. McCook's business community and economic leaders need to take action. As a start, a committee from the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is looking into the vacancy issue, trying to come up with both long-term and short-term solutions.

"The overall issue is marketing the McCook business community," said Pam Harsh, executive director of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce. "As part of that, we will be coming up with a listing of the available properties."

In the short term, Pam said the Chamber committee is pondering ways to dress up the empty storefronts. "One of the possibilities is putting murals in the vacant store's windows," she said.

For sure, action is needed. McCook has let the problem go on far too long. Out of town owners of McCook business properties, especially the Romanoffs and Volentines, need to be included in the discussions.

McCook also needs to encourage business ideas, such as those inspired by the Hormel Family Foundation's business plan competition. The two prizewinners in 2007, Game On and Heather's Sweets, both need places to operate. That should fill a couple of storefronts.

Hopefully, other new business ideas will follow. On a per capita sales basis, McCook remains one of Nebraska's top trade centers. But the town can't live on its reputation. The community's business leaders need to work together to address the vacant store problem.