Jun. 7--No issue is more pressing than reigniting the economy and creating jobs in the Greater Hickory Metro Area.

Unemployment here was 14.9 percent in April, down from 15.4 percent in March, but still the highest jobless rate among the state's 14 metropolitan statistical areas. Catawba County's unemployment rate was 15 percent in April, down from 15.6 percent in March. The county's March rate was the highest it had been since February 1975.

The good news is the recession is showing signs of easing. With the credit market loosening, entrepreneurs may be looking to set up shop. Established companies are dusting off expansion and relocation plans that were once shelved.

This is the time for initiatives that encourage businesses to add or retain jobs, a time to engage entrepreneurs to put their dreams into action. The bill signed by Gov. Bev Purdue this week expanding of tax credits for Apple Inc. to build a data center in the state, and most likely in Catawba County, is the kind of thing government ought to be doing to create jobs.

Economic development, when well executed and well funded, helps create jobs. It's an investment worth protecting. In turbulent times, job creation deserves our best effort. This bill aims to create jobs where they are most needed in the state. It will make the hardest-hit parts of North Carolina more attractive to many companies when looking to expand.

This is welcome news for the region.

Among the state's 14 metropolitan statistical areas, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton ranked No. 1 in joblessness for the fourth consecutive month in April. According to the Employment Security Commission, 11,300 more people in the Greater Hickory Metro were unemployed in April 2009 than in April 2008.

Apple's data center will employ at least 50 people full-time and state officials say it could generate another 250 jobs for people providing services to the plant and more than 3,000 related jobs for the region surrounding the site.

With a pending announcement by Apple, news that furniture maker Ethan Allen is expanding its Maiden factory, creating more than 300 jobs, and the announcement Monday that BSN Medical in Conover is expanding its work force by 25, tomorrow looks a little brighter for the region's unemployed.

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