The efforts and hard work of the past are apparent today with new developments and plans for our community.

Clearly, it’s easy to focus on the doom and gloom of the economic downturn. And it’s easy to get caught up in the unique challenges our community faces in securing jobs and economic stability.

However, stories on today’s front page reveal that our local leaders and business owners continue to invest in our community with their money, ideas and planning — and their efforts are paying off.

A drive down U.S. Highway 53 shows work progressing on the Northland Distributing expansion which when completed, will likely add 15 to 20 new jobs over the year. And new owners are at The Spot and Chocolate Moose restaurants; new businesses like Snap Fitness have opened and others are planning to open.

Construction along Rainy River continues with work on a new U.S. Border Patrol facility and a new headquarters for Voyageurs National Park. And International Falls officials continue to seek funding to develop the Voyageurs Heritage Center, and push for private development of a destination resort on nearby property.

A jewel of proposals, the Renewable Energy Clean Air Project, continues to move forward and has great potential for the area.

And other opportunities continue to be explored, including whether companies involved in biomass would make a good fit for the area.

It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to find successful economic development. A friendship helped draw what is now called UnitedHealth Group to International Falls. The Falls site started with a little more than a handful of employees and now employs nearly 200 people. You never know when opportunity may strike among family and friends from elsewhere.

Our community has many valuable assets, including Rainy River Community College and Voyageurs National Park, to offer. But our most important tool in economic development continues to be the people who work tirelessly to retain and create jobs while also seeking new opportunities for our community.