On Tuesday, financial planner Greg Luken’s Luken Report arrived in my inbox. Here’s how it started:

“If there is one factor with the greatest potential to mend our economy, it is a steadily improving employment picture. How so? When you look at the U.S. economy as a whole, it is primarily supported by consumer spending. In order for consumers to spend, they must have a measure of disposable income. In order to have disposable income, Americans must have jobs. …

“So are we seeing improvement in the nation's jobs picture? Yes. One year ago, the unemployment rate was 9.7%. As of October's report, it dropped to 9%. … We still have a long way to go to reach our full potential, but things are moving in the right direction.”

I’m happy to report that BHP is doing its best to help the unemployment situation, and this seems like a great opportunity to introduce you to our first and newest employees. Last spring, we welcomed Brea Morgan as our office manager. Last month Carol Stuart, one of Middle Tennessee’s best journalists and a frequent contributor to BHP as a freelancer, officially joined our staff as assistant editor. Two new account executives, JJ Pope and Jason Hollingsworth, have joined our existing sales team of Elaine Allen and Sue Falls.

We hope to keep growing. You can help us do that by supporting our advertisers who allow us to provide Brentwood with the timeliest and most comprehensive news coverage available – for free.

The next time you’re visiting one of them, please let them know “I saw your ad in Brentwood Home Page.”

Working together we can continue to grow our local economy, and (selfishly) continue to grow BHP. I would sure love to hire a reporter or two so I could take a night off. Or at least get to a Weight Watchers meeting…

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com