Nov. 15--Please forgive the inappropriate comparison, but, as is the case in fishing the angler experiences far more nibbles, broken lines and "you should have seen the one that got away" stories than trophy catches.

The same is true in economic development.

Fortunately for Caldwell County, however, the Economic Development Commission and local elected leaders have been doing their best Bill Dance impersonations of late.

In the course of nearly two years, Caldwell County has landed the biggest name in computers (Google), two large stores operated by the world's largest retailer (Wal-Mart), the retention of and creation of new jobs at the most popular brand in home furnishings (Broyhill) and various other notable accomplishments that have created opportunity and jobs.

On Thursday, local economic developers added another impressive catch to the trophy wall in announcing a major expansion at Merchants Distributors Inc. The project will yield more than $50 million in new investment at the company's campus just south of Granite Falls and 200 new jobs to go with it. It comes near the end of a decade that has seen some of the area's toughest economic times with the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs.

This is where the comparison with fishing is no longer appropriate. Fishing's a recreational activity -- considered by some as a sport. When we're talking about jobs, whether losing or gaining them, we're talking about the livelihood of real people. No one knows better than people in Caldwell County.

That's why the recent accomplishments of local leaders is so uplifting. The pressures of the global economy cost Caldwell County much of the job security it had enjoyed for the better part of a century. The need to diversify and put local residents back to work has driven recent efforts, and during the last two years has paid some real dividends.

According to Caldwell Economic Development Commission Senior Development Manager Alan Wood, the county has attracted 2,250 new jobs since January 2007 and $702 million in new investment.

As the old saying goes, "you win some and you lose some." It would be fair to say that Caldwell County is on a pretty good winning streak at this moment, and whether you're trolling the waters of Lake Rhodhiss for a fish or trying to bring Caldwell County's economy back from its recent low points, momentum can mean the difference between a big catch and talking about the one that got away.

Edward Terry is editor of the News-Topic. You can reach him at eterry@newstopic.net.

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