Recent hirings at Honda Lock and Hanil E Hwa signal a strengthening local economy

Published 6:58 pm Thursday, August 7, 2014

Automotive suppliers are a critical part of Dallas County’s economy. Recently, auto companies have expanded their reach by hiring several dozen new employees.

Many times the prevailing story is that residents of the Black Belt live in an area plagued by poverty, which is true to an extent.

Despite the overwhelming poverty rates, businesses, schools and governments seem to be working together to fix the problem.

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It is certainly possible that collaboration efforts could be better aligned. Perhaps there’s a quicker, better way to solve the problem.

However, the news that Honda Lock and Hanil E Hwa are adding new staff shows that a segment of Dallas County’s business community is doing well.

At 900-1,000 jobs — an estimate provided by Selma-Dallas County economic development director Wayne Vardaman —the auto manufacturing industry isn’t a business sector that our area should take lightly.

International Paper is undoubtedly the largest employer in the county.

Combining International Paper’s more than 700 jobs with the rest of the pulp and paper industry in the area surely outpaces the auto manufacturing business.

Government services is likely the number two employer, when public school system are included, but the auto manufacturing business isn’t far behind and is clearly growing.

It’s not only true in Dallas County, but throughout the state.

If economic decision makers in the area believe that the auto industry could continue lifting employment rates, then the focus should be on providing as many resources as possible to ensure success. If not, the focus shouldn’t be any different. Every business in Dallas County helps to fuel the economy, both through sales taxes and wages to employees.

Dallas County is already the economic hub of Alabama’s Black Belt, but for the area to become more important in the statewide economy, there’s still more work to do.

News about the nearly 80 new jobs is encouraging.

We hope businesses continue to see increased demand, in turn adding more employees.