Guarded optimism prevailed at last week’s Economic Outlook Summit, an annual gathering of business leaders and community stakeholders presented by The Acadiana Advocate.

Optimism is justified.

Start with this, to the good:

Health care is driving local growth, with more high-pay jobs available.

Higher education is poised not only to educate today’s students, but to recover college careers of those who dropped out short of completion.

The local 55 by 25 effort, initiated by One Acadiana, holds this goal: Develop a workforce with 55% of its people educated with college degrees, certificates or high-value training credentials. That would make a powerful workforce.

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