Suffolk’s future seemingly looks better by the day, at least economically.

Today, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) holds an open house at its Bridgeway Commerce Park facility. The research and engineering company is expanding its operations in

Hampton Roads and Suffolk because of the large military presence and in Suffolk, spurred by the increases in defense appropriations brought on by the War on Terror.

SAIC provides information technology, systems integration and eSolutions to the government.

This bodes well for Suffolk and its workforce. Companies such as Lockheed and SAIC are clean that provide quality, high-paying jobs and with all the available land in and around Suffolk’s growing high-tech, defense area in the north, the there are likely to be many more such companies to follow. It’s the presence of such firms that provide the tax base needed to fund the quality of life projects that are such a high priority for City Council.

Economic Development, the right kind, is essential to our community’s continued prosperity and city government should continue to make adequate funding a top priority.