Even the most depraved gambler will tell you, there’s no such thing as a Sure Thing.

And while investing, even in the best of times, comes with a certain amount of inherent risk, during the tough times it is even riskier.

Opportunity, however, can be a fickle thing, and it is best to seize it while it is in the mood.

That is why, in spite of all the If’s and Maybe’s, the decision by County Council last week to purchase 625 acres of land from Plum Creek seems as close to a Sure Thing as one can expect in this day and age.

While the purchase drew some criticism from certain segments of the population, it is difficult to imagine how, even in a worst-case scenario, the deal could be anything but good for Fairfield County.

First of all, with very little space remaining in the Walter Brown Industrial Park, there existed a definite need for the kind of serious acreage that can draw serious industry.

Second, with the contribution of federal stimulus dollars, the deal was too good to pass up.

And finally, by issuing bonds, the interest on which will be picked up by the federal government, the deal was able to get done without costing the taxpayers.

Will the results be felt overnight?

Undoubtedly not. But barring the kind of unforeseeable cataclysm that would render this and all points moot, the future will arrive on schedule.

Thanks to the foresight of County Council, Fairfield will be ready when it does.