Thursday afternoon residents of Dallas County will see the fruit of more than a year’s worth of labor to bring jobs to this area.

An announcement of a new industry locating at South Dallas Industrial Park is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

These are new jobs. This is phased work with the potential for more jobs as each portion is completed and the industry grows.

Many in the community are quick to criticize efforts at economic development here in Dallas County and Selma because they do not see the work going on behind the scenes.

By its nature, because of the cost of land and the competition from other counties and even other states, economic development is shrouded in secrecy.

The projects are known by code names. This one was called “Project Warrior.”

Many times those involved in helping put a project together do not know anything but their portion of the overall. This approach also helps keep information at a need-to-know level.

“Project Warrior” ultimately will result in 130 jobs. It will begin in the first phase with 20-30 jobs and there’s already a place to send applications.

We welcome the new industry and look forward to the harvests of other projects that began months ago.