It’s a proud week for Baldwin County when we get to announce that one of our local, family owned companies was granted a first-of-its-kind license to trade with the nation of Cuba.

Foley-based GulfWise Commerce, an offshoot of the Woerner Companies, came out with the news this week that they have been granted the ability to sell agricultural equipment to a research station in Cuba that will help with growing grass and erosion prevention, things we are certain they already know a great deal about over at Woerner.

We agree with GulfWise partner Christina Woerner McInnis that it is significant that a precedent-setting license like this wasn’t granted to some national conglomerate or well-known brand name company – it was given to a company that’s a part of a family owned business that’s been here for a century.

And this is just the start of the plans the Woerners have for trade with Cuba, including plans that could involve the importation of fresh fruit and other produce that could bring new products and new jobs to Baldwin County.

While some would argue the merits of beginning trade with a Communist nation we’ve been in an economic battle with for decades, we would counter that the best way to show the people of Cuba the merits of our system is to engage them with trade, and show them the benefits and opportunities that can be made through free enterprise.

It would also help with the legacy of distrust bred by the 55-year-old embargo, helping to warm relations between the people of our two nations. They’ll get to know us, and we’ll get to know them.

That kind of “dollar diplomacy” doesn’t just benefit the Cuban people. It benefits people right here in Baldwin County, creating jobs and helping people around the world know about the high-caliber products and workforce we have available here.

Deals like this one will continue to help put Baldwin County on the map globally, and with our proximity to an asset like the Port of Mobile, our notoriety will only continue to grow.

We applaud the Woerner Companies for taking this first step in bringing opportunities and prosperity to not only Cuba, but right back here to Baldwin County as well.

We hope this will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship that continues to blossom as time progresses.

This editorial represents the collective opinion of the Gulf Coast Media Editorial Board, composed of editors and staff of the Gulf Coast Media family of newspapers. If you have questions or comments, or would like to send a letter to the editor for publication, please email our managing editor at cliff@gulfcoastmedia.com.