If you are looking for positive signs in the local economy or perhaps simply a good cup of coffee and a great donut, I’ve got a couple of suggestions: Donut Joe’s, which opened on U.S. 31 in Pelham last year and Dunkin’ Donuts, which opened earlier this week on Cahaba Valley Road near I-65. These two businesses, one a local start-up and the other a national franchise, both offer great donuts, good customer service and delicious coffee. But they both do much more.

How can a donut business serve as an economic indicator and a sign of good things happening in our economy? Here are a couple of clear examples of how:

-Jobs. Donut shops aren’t run by computers but rather by people who work alongside other people to make those delicious donuts and brew the fresh coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts plans to employ as many as 50 people, that’s good news for all of us.

-Sales taxes. Local governments are, like many of us in our personal lives, struggling to make ends meet as demands on limited resources increase and available monies decrease. New businesses mean more retail sales, which drive sales taxes.

-Less commercial vacancy. New business openings means abundant commercial space is occupied.

-Trickle-down business. Anytime a business opens or expands, other business go to work, like electricians getting the new business ready to open, delivery drivers bringing supplies, etc.

So now, you can feel good about popping into Donut Joe’s or Dunkin’ Donuts for a cup of coffee and a donut.

Not only are you enjoying a tasty treat, you are stimulating the economy, helping create jobs and expanding the local tax base.

How’s that for seeing the donut rather than the hole?