Job optimism in our area

With unemployment nationally running about 9.5 percent, let’s be sure to rejoice about good job news and increased opportunities for our people in the Chattanooga area.

The first thing that comes to mind, of course, is our new Volkswagen plant, which will employ about 2,000 people.

And don’t forget Alstom Power’s plans to add roughly 300 jobs to its present local work force of 600 employees.

The most recent good jobs report is that Whirlpool, in nearby Cleveland, is embarking upon a $120 million expansion that will mean 130 jobs added to its existing 1,500 employees.

We appreciate all of these, plus a number of other local job expansions, some large, some small, all important.

And don’t forget: These new employment opportunities will generate hundreds of other “unannounced” jobs in a wide variety of businesses that will be serving our current and added employers in countless ways throughout our whole economy.

Jobs don’t “just happen.” They are a result of a positive business and industrial climate that makes people decide their economic investments are justified by a productive attitude among the people, attractive climate and geography and friendly local governments.

The way to attract, justify, keep and expand economic opportunities for the benefit of us all is to be sure our people have good education and skills, and that we will work productively and cooperatively for the benefit of employers, employees and all of us.

We give thanks for our good local economic news. We should make sure we have the attitudes and abilities to expand our opportunities for mutual success.