Creating and retaining jobs is not an easy task. There are no manuals to read or classes to take that will make this job any easier. A good dose of common sense however sure helps.

Job creation and retention can be both exciting and challenging. To create and retain jobs you must have good infrastructure. Continually repairing and replacing our aging roads, bridges and utilities can help increase the demand for goods and services. You have to be able to get your product from the businesses to the customers easily and quickly.Local governments should work as a team to create business friendly environments that welcome companies to expand and relocate in our county. Incentives such as the Keystone Opportunity Zone and the Neighborhood Improvement Zone or the City Revitalization Improvement Zone can be very important when it comes to recruiting businesses. Local ordinances need to protect the residents of the community, but they should also be able to welcome new business in or help existing businesses to expand.The CCEDC Business Education Partnership is partnering with Dr. Robert Mauro and the Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Area through a federal grant to work with our local schools and businesses to inform our local schools on what businesses need from students when they enter the workforce.Even if those students are going on to a post-secondary education, they will at some point be entering the workforce and they will need to compete in today's job market. Proficiency with soft skills in addition to academics is one of the major skills that local businesses find lacking. These skills will entice businesses to expand or relocate to our county because we will have a ready and able workforce trained to fit their needs.Carbon County has a Comprehensive Plan that was adopted by the commissioners in November 2013 which includes addressing land uses in coordination with roads to avoid future traffic problems. Traffic congestion is a major problem in some areas of our county. Working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the NEPA Alliance on solutions is something that the county Commissioners are continually doing.Continue to support our great quality of life in Carbon. Corporations and businesses who look to locate to an area tend to choose one that offers their employees a high quality of life including outdoor activities, easy access to major metropolitan areas and a low cost of living.Carbon County has all of the above with our four-season attractions, close proximity to the Lehigh Valley, New York and Philadelphia and a lower cost of living than most of our neighbors. We are definitely close by but once you get here, you feel like your worlds away.All of the above add up to a very attractive place to live and do business. We are working hard at the CCEDC to promote Carbon County as an attractive tourist and business destination.Kathy Henderson is director of economic development for Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation.