Editorial: Jackson is jumpin'

• Ribbon cutting

julie buntjer/daily globe AGCO CEO Martin Richenhagen (left, with scissors) and Senior Vice President/General Manager Bob Crain (right with scissors) cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the new Intivity Center showroom on the AGCO Jackson campus. Standing between the two are Ag-Chem founder Al McQuinn and former AGCO chief Bob Ratliff.

Talk about it

While economic news across the nation and world has been decidedly mixed at best, things seem to just keep getting better and better in Jackson.

Last week, AGCO celebrated the grand opening of its new Intivity Center and expanded manufacturing space. A new 75,000-square foot addition is bringing new products and, of course, new jobs. As a matter of fact, AGCO added 500 jobs in the U.S. alone, and there remained 40 unfilled jobs at the Jackson facility last week. The Intivity Center, meanwhile, is anticipated to attract more than 10,000 visitors in the next 12 months to a see a veritable history of farm machinery.

Jackson, whose population was 3,299 at the 2010 Census, was a spot for more good business news Wednesday. At a press event coordinated at City Hall, it was announced that Tri-County Implement had purchased 18 acres of land from Jackson County Economic Development Corp. and plans a new $3.7 million John Deere implement sales, service and training facility.

Jackson’s recent economic development news will almost certainly boost public perception of the community as it continues to attract both new residents and new — and/or growing — businesses. In an environment where communities compete at a global level for opportunities to attract and expand business operations, it’s refreshing to see an area city on a clear track of prosperity.

Tags: opinion, editorials, jackson, business