We applaud the efforts by our local officials to try and keep the 35 International Paper Co. customer service jobs in our area.

Although it may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to the 1,100 jobs that will be lost once the paper mill closes, it’s important to remember one thing — every job counts.

If the effort to keep the 35 jobs here is successful, that would be good news for the 35 families that want to stay here. That would also be good news for all of the businesses that rely on those 35 families every day.

There are several available properties in both Franklin and Southampton County for IP to house its workers. Another option, if permissible from the state and federal governments, would be to use the fourth floor of the Incubator once it has been built out.

Hopefully IP will decide to keep the workers in the community it has called home for the past 10 years instead of starting over somewhere else.