Wagons ho: Partnerships like new WCC center will set the right course

There is no question that one of this county's biggest assets is located on Wayne Memorial Drive.

And now, that influence is expanding.

The decision to purchase the Cooper Bussmann facility to create an advanced manufacturing center for Wayne Community College was not just a good plan to support the college.

It sets a course for the county's future.

What brings companies to communities is not just the infrastructure and its proximity to transportation routes -- although those factor into the decision.

Companies want to know that if they come to a community, there will be plenty of trained, quality and qualified people to fill the jobs they will create.

And that is where Wayne Community College steps in.

The more training and degree programs the college offers, the more chance Wayne County graduates who want to stay here or who would like to better themselves have of finding an employer who will hire them.

We want, as a county, to be known for being the place where manufacturing and other interests should be looking if they want a cost-effective and appealing site for a new venture.

This purchase, which was assisted by the Wayne Development Alliance and has been funded with a loan sought by the Wayne County Commission, sends a loud message to the state -- Wayne County is open for business and serious about attracting jobs.

And that is exactly what we want to say -- and what we want to do.

Published in Editorials on January 22, 2015 10:45 AM