News worth celebrating

When it comes to the economy - both nationally and locally - good news has been hard to find.

That's what makes last weeks reports on expansion at Jay Products and a new venture in the former Sheller-Globe facility particularly stunning.

Think about it: When was the last time you heard of a small Indiana community landing 100 new jobs?

What's particularly exciting about these latest successes by Jay County Development Corporation and the city of Portland are three factors:

•One of the projects - Jay Products - involves expansion of an existing industry with a long track record in Jay County. It's a huge vote of confidence to have new operations relocated to this community.

•One of the projects - Geesaman Industries - has Jay County roots. Steve Geesaman, owner of the Wisconsin-based firm, is a county native; and the Geesaman family name is one that stretches back several generations locally.

•And one of the projects - Geesaman again - involves putting an old industrial property back into service.

For a couple of decades now, the former Sheller plant on South Bridge Street in Portland has been a reminder of an earlier era in manufacturing. Now it faces the potential for a new life.

Communities all over America would be dancing in the street over last week's news.

But that news didn't happen all over America. It happened here, and that's worth celebrating. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]