This past Friday, July 17, was a day of good news for Anson County.

In these uncertain times, where more often than not, the news is that more workers have been laid off, it was a pleasant surprise to receive not one, but two pieces of news that should have a positive effect on Anson County's economy.

First, Governor Bev Perdue officially announced the creation of 65 jobs at Wadesboro's Coffing Hoists manufacturing plant, thanks in part to a grant from the One North Carolina Fund. Over the next three years, parent company Yale Industrial Products Inc. will invest $3 million in Anson County to create these jobs. Granted, it would be fantastic if hundreds of jobs were being brought to the county but in this day and age of closing textile plants and layoffs left and right, the news of any new jobs is certainly welcome.

And these 65 jobs are not anything to sneeze at. The median salary of $37,031 greatly exceeds the average Anson County citizen's salary of $28,288. More employees making more money can only help other aspects of the county's economy— like restaurants and retailers. Higher salaries mean more money to spend right here at home.

The positions will run the manufacturing gamut— assemblers, machinists, engineers, purchasing. Some may come from outside the county but even bringing those skilled people into the fold can only help, not hurt.

After the governor's press release Friday morning, the afternoon brought another good piece of news, this time from the office of Congressman Larry Kissell.

More than $2 million will be coming Anson County's way for a clean water project. According to the press release, "The funds will be used for the construction of an emergency raw water intake; 3,116 linear feet of 36-inch high density poly ethylene raw water intake pipe; an emergency raw water pump station; installation of 1,800 linear feet of 42-inch water main from the proposed pump station to the existing pump station and 1,250 linear feet of 30-foot water main from an existing pump station to the water treatment plant."

Although the $2,438,190 will not create any new jobs, having improved water quality will no doubt help create a more attractive community for those who may be considering relocating here.

After all, the grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which passed in February as a way to help jump start the economy.

Will either of these two pieces of news be the magical fix the county needs? Probably not. But it certainly won't hurt.

And here's hoping the good news keeps on coming for a county that desperately needs to see the light at the end of the recession tunnel.