Anytime local government can take reasonable steps to ease the way for small business, it's generally a good thing. But in addition to boosting the county economy, a measure now before the County Council presents benefits in terms of local tourism and agricultural preservation.

The bill would explicitly permit wineries in Howard County, a feature many of our neighboring counties have had for decades. Like the "pick-your-own" operations and the petting zoo, small vineyards have proved a viable way to keep farmland rural amid a modern suburban landscape. Many of them draw tourists, too, some quite actively, with wine tastings, outdoor concerts and other fun events.

The council was scheduled to vote on this tonight, although complications might force it to table the bill until after the August recess. That's fine. The council should get this right. We're just glad to see they're getting it done.

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