There are some positive signs in Rio Rancho. With the announcement that Presbyterian Hospital will resume construction, a slightly more positive outlook at Rio Rancho Public Schools and a bump in housing sales, one could make the conclusion that we’re pulling out of the recession.

Unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods yet. Along with signs of hope, there are also some more ominous signs. Sandoval County has an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent, which is better than the national rate of 9.4 percent, but worse than the state’s 6.7 percent. But, there are indicators that help might be on the way.

It seems the $2.5 billion investment made by Intel in its Rio Rancho facility may soon pay off as word on the street has it the company is ready to start hiring again soon. Also, it seems there is an increased interest from major retail companies; the new CVS drug store that will open at the corner of NM 528 and Northern Boulevard is one such example. Some people have expressed opposition to projects like CVS, and while we agree that questions should always be asked and that development should be done in an intelligent manner, we would like to encourage people to work with developers and city leaders to create compromises.

It’s much better to find a common ground instead of keeping a business out altogether. Especially as we try to gather our collective strength to make it through however much more of this recession there will be.

Some economists tell you the worst is over, but these are the same guys who missed predicting the crisis in the first place, so only time will tell. In the meantime, we all have to work together to encourage safe, responsible development in our city that will create jobs for our citizens and gross tax receipts for the city.