Cullman’s healthy economy is a product of hard work and partnerships built over the course of many years.

Last week, local leaders gathered for a reception honoring the far-reaching contributions to the industries that call Cullman home. Aside from the appreciation that we all hold for the jobs and money that spring from new and expanding industries, some important information came from the event that helps define why there has been such a long track of success.

Not many people like to thank government, as a whole, for accomplishments. But in the case of the Cullman area, the appreciation is deserved.

Many years ago, leaders in the City of Cullman were determined to launch a new era of economic growth. To do so required a fulltime, focused economic development organization with better than adequate funding. That decision has allowed the building of longterm relationships.

The retention and expansion of industries, once they settle in the area, has created many new jobs and helped the economy expand. Industries have local officials who are willing to assist with plans to expand and who spend time maintaining contact.

The concern from both sides is real and we should all be thankful that business is on a personal level here — the Cullman way.

We join in the salute to industries that have invested in Cullman, trained local workers and made our community a better place to live.