Tuesday brought positive economic news to Jefferson County as Ash Grove Cement Co. announced plans to reopen in mid-February, calling back about 50 workers to do so.

It's important for the local economy to have a viable mining plant well into the future, and these are good-paying jobs that help the local economy flourish. In an area where so many jobs are tied to state and federal government, having strong private-sector companies is critical to a more diverse and healthy economy.

Back in October, the Overland Park, Kan.-based company announced that, due to "adverse economic conditions," it was suspending production at nine of its 10 plants. In Montana City, 50 of the plant's 79 employees were laid off, beginning around Nov. 30.

It wasn't the first time last year the employees faced layoffs, nor was it the first time last year Jefferson County faced troubling job losses.

In March, 57 of Ash Grove's workers were sent home for several weeks, including two with pay, while the company investigated a mineral thought to be asbestos in its Clark Gulch quarry. The quarry and plant were determined to be safe after dozens of tests by several government agencies and the company itself, and those workers were back on the job by the end of April.

That came on the heels of nearly 200 layoffs at Montana Tunnels mine, spelling a tough economic stretch for those hardworking individuals in the struggling Montana natural resources industries and an uncertain tax base future for Montana City.

Thankfully, those 50 employees at Ash Grove will be coming back to work by Feb. 15 as the demand for cement picks up after a sluggish two years. The projected decrease in U.S. cement consumption in 2009 was 22 percent, that on the back of a 16 percent drop in 2008.

Ash Grove calling back its work force might not be the ultimate signal that the recession is turning the corner, but it sure is good indicator that the litmus test of the upcoming construction season - the demand for cement products - is promising.

And any optimism in the economic outlook these days warrants a celebration, albeit small.

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