We’ve finally done it.

The Selma-Dallas County area finally has single-digit unemployment, for the first time in years.

The hard work is starting to pay off.

Years ago, the leaders of Dallas

County realized that the prospect of continued abysmal employment rates, sometimes higher than 15 percent, wasn’t acceptable.

They started to work.

Industrial parks were created and promoted. Business incubators were organized.

Local leaders joined with state leaders to create training programs.

Combined with efforts from the state to draw new industries into Alabama, these efforts have translated into something beyond skeletal statistics.

They’ve translated into jobs.

Before December, in Dallas

County, at least one out of every 10 people were unemployed.

It was statistically impossible to live in the area and not know someone without a job.

It was impossible to live in the area and not know someone who’s family didn’t have to struggle to make ends meet.

Now, it’s gotten a little harder.

Selma’s unemployment rate is falling monthly.

The efforts of our business leaders, in City Hall, in the County Commission, in the Centre for Commerce are paying off.

The big question: Now what?

Now that Dallas County has achieved this level of success, what do we do with it?

The answer: More.

We keep doing what we have been to get here: Tirelessly promoting the value of Dallas County workers, a solid infrastructure and a group of community leaders devoted to getting jobs to our citizens.

We work harder and strive more. While Dallas County is becoming one of Alabama’s success stories, there’s no such thing as an unemployment rate that’s too low.