Write a new simple attractive title based on the title from Editorial: Rio Grande Valley workers have reason to celebrate increase in job prospects and dont use quote marks

Labor Day has come to represent many things, including the unofficial end of summer, just and yet another reason to have special mattress and furniture sales. It’s a far cry from the original focus of the day.

Today the holiday commonly is said to celebrate the American worker, but the first Labor Day, held Sept. 5, 1882, supported labor unions and called for improved work conditions. It became an official federal holiday in 1894.

For much of the Rio Grande Valley’s history, Labor Day had a bit of irony for many people who couldn’t find a job of any kind. Until recently South Texas endured double-digit unemployment rates, and many of the jobs that were available were in the low-paying agriculture and textile industries.

Fortunately, the region has seen major growth in job opportunities.

Our jobless rate, which in the 1970s ranged from the teens to as high as 30% at the rural western end of the Valley, now is closer to national and state averages. July unemployment rates were 9.9% in Starr County, 7.6% in Willacy County, 7.0% in Cameron County and 6.8% in Hidalgo County, compared to 4.5% in Texas as a whole and 4.1% nationally.

More importantly, recently growth has come in higher-tech, and higher-paying, professions including healthcare and aerospace, and future prospects include industrial jobs in shipbuilding, metallurgy and fuel distribution.

Several factors have contributed to our region’s job improvement, beginning with expanded and improved educational opportunities that include early-college programs at local high schools and new higher education programs. They help build a pool of skilled and educated workers that can attract new business.

In addition, our state has maintained low tax and regulation levels that attract business. For several years Texas has led the nation in new business creation and migration of existing companies from other states.

Local elected and economic development officials also have been aggressive in promoting the Rio Grande Valley as a good place to set up shop. Their job has benefited from the region’s resources including international trade, available land, available workers, tropical climate, proximity to our ports and lower crime rates than are found in major metropolitan areas.

To be sure, not every job is worth pursuing. As they continue to court new business investment, local officials should look for companies that either have a proven record of worker support and community involvement or new companies that promise jobs with good pay and work conditions, which Valley workers will want to take. Officials should continue to take into account the region’s unique natural environment and seek to ensure that new businesses won’t bring undue spoilage to sensitive wildlife habitat.

This Labor Day, Valley residents have reason to celebrate a work environment that continues to improve with expanded job opportunities and the promise of even more growth in the foreseeable future. At the same time, we should heed the original spirit of the holiday, and remember that economic development should not compromise working conditions or our quality of life.