Let us not jump to conclusions, but there are signs out there that the world as we in Kamloops know it is not going to end quite yet.

It's tempting, as we view the economic troubles in Europe and the pessimistic prognostications of the experts, to be fearful that we'll be swept into the maelstrom of decline.

Indeed, a realistic approach is a good thing, yet our part of the world churns along doing pretty well.

Last month, 900 new jobs were created in Kamloops, among the best performances in the province in that respect. Overall, B.C. is ahead of the rest of the country. Unemployment in the Thompson-Okanagan is down to 4.7 per cent, an impressive number given the world economic situation.

"If you look at communities like Prince George, Kamloops, Vernon, and Kelowna, these are the communities that are showing very, very robust job growth and are helping to support the mainstream urban economies," says jobs minister Pat Bell.

But jobs aren't the only indicator of a healthy local economy. The housing and construction sector is humming along at a good clip as well. Employers are looking for skilled workers to meet their contracts.

The vacancy rate has dropped to 2.9 per cent. While a tight rental market can cause its own problems, including potential inflation on rental rates, it's a sign that the local economy is vibrant.

The newest positive indicator is school enrolment. Student numbers in the public-education system have been on the decline for well over a decade. But assistant superintendent Karl deBruijn predicts "the end, I hope" of declining enrolment.

He foresees an increase in the numbers, which means there are more families moving into the area. "This is really, really positive."

And positive it is. More families translates into more people buying houses, refrigerators, television sets, more people buying groceries and going to the movies, more contributing to the economy and the tax base.

It would be a mistake to think, or even hope, that we're entering a boom period. The housing market is not seeing anything like the acceleration of growth of a few years ago. Retailers are hanging in but are keeping a close eye on their bottom lines.

But the numbers provide reason for optimism that we're going to enjoy the benefits of a sustainable economy and that, even on a wider scale, we're going to emerge from the much-talked-about double-dip recession before it grabs hold.