Adams County soared onto the national economic scene — even if only briefly — Wednesday as a seemingly rare occurrence was marked.

As jobs are being slashed across the country, Adams County is about to create a few hundred new ones.

More than 400 new jobs soon will be created after the Federal Bureau of Prisons signed a contract with Corrections Corporation of America, owners of the new Adams County Correctional Center in extreme eastern Adams County.

While lots of businesses have been described recently as “recession resistant,” Adams County’s newest business development may have a secure lock on the phrase.

Wednesday’s announcement was not a huge surprise, but it wasn’t a guarantee, either.

CCA built the prison last year, and it has sat devoid of prisoners since its completion. Company officials estimate it will provide approximately $1.8 million in utility payments and $1.2 million in property tax payments once fully operational.

That’s an amazing economic stimulus for our community.

In the next few months, activity at the prison will begin ramping up. And jobs will range from traditional corrections to educators and health workers.

Adams County is excited by the prospects the new prison can bring, and we hope and expect the facility is as good of a corporate citizen as the CCA prison in Wilkinson County has been since it was first opened.