Laurel to the news that EGGER Wood Products plans to begin operation in Linwood by the end of the year.

The company has already hired 200 employees and plans to have 400 in the next eight months. Because of its location, two interstate exits into Davidson County, Salisbury-area residents are likely to be among its employees, particularly once it reaches its full hiring capacity.

For local pride and the tax revenue generated for local services, it’s nice for major employers to set up shop within the boundaries of Rowan. Certainly that’s a preference for elected officials, who can tout economic wins, and potential employees, who would have shorter commutes.

But people don’t choose their jobs based on county lines. And it’s not entirely a bad result if companies open up shop a few miles away. Most notable, companies who are large enough to draw their employees from communities across the region pay salaries that will be spent at local stores, doctor’s offices and restaurants.

Between EGGER and the more than 1,200 who will be hired by Chewy.com at its Long Ferry Road fulfillment center, the future is looking good for northern Rowan County.

Dart to the notion that eliminating valedictorian and salutatorian titles will have any major effect on students’ futures in Rowan-Salisbury Schools.

The school board is considering eliminating the titles throughout the district in favor of Latin honors and class rankings throughout the district.

Students and parents will personally value the title of the former more so than the latter.

Meanwhile, the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian are largely not relevant to the college admissions process because they are determined at the end of the year, long after the traditional applications process has ended. By the time students find out whether they’ve finished at the top of their class, many have already made decisions about their future. And colleges across the country now have a more holistic process for applications in cases where the titles might be relevant.

Students who are making class choices to get a title and the parents who encourage them to do so are misguided. Students should perform well academically in high school and take challenging courses for their own benefit.