A “Now Hiring” sign has appeared in the window of a vacant grocery store building in Talladega.

And a noted car dealership announced Monday it would take over and expand the Pell City Ford-Lincoln Mercury automobile dealership.

Granted, they aren’t the full antidote for an ailing job market, but they are positive signs of growth for the future.

With unemployment at double digits throughout the region, the state and the country, news of new business and jobs creation is certainly welcome here at home.

National retailer Citi Trends heading to Talladega and Bessemer-based dealership Town and Country Ford expanding to Pell City are the kinds of announcements that signal better days ahead for the economy.

Both have strong reputations with an emphasis on growth, and we welcome them to our communities and encourage support for them.

They will provide needed services and offer job opportunities. And that’s a combination that has the area more hopeful about its future.