“We’re going to be working hard to fill the needs of each region,” said Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel Wednesday, when he visited the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta as part of his WorkOhio Initiative tour.

Tressel also talked about opportunities being “a little bit different by region.”

That, as he no doubt understands, was an understatement.

WorkOhio is supposed to connect Buckeye State residents with jobs and support available through regional job hubs such as the one in Southeast Ohio: Ohio Valley Employment Resource. Those hubs, in turn, work with community connectors that can provide even more specialized support.

According to Tressel, the goal is to make job searching simple, personalized and interesting.

“This is an opportunity to change lives, support businesses and strengthen long-term economic vitality in Southeast Ohio,” said Southeast Ohio Regional Job Hub Leader Janelle Comstock. “We believe in the unique potential of every individual and we are committed to walking alongside them.”

Washington State College of Ohio President Sarah Parker also spoke highly of the initiative.

“This recognizes the simple truth that when we work together, we’re not just working efficiently but we’re also working effectively,” she said.

No doubt such collaboration is a wonderful thing; and Tressel’s tour may stir up interest that improves each regional effort.

But in the meantime, this particular region awaits fulfillment of the promise that the state would be working to attract large employers who will build within commuting distance of every Ohioan.

Most recent figures show Ohio had 275,000 job openings in October. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break down where those openings can be found.

Though unemployment numbers are not available for that same month because of the federal government shutdown, there were approximately 269,000 people unemployed in the state in November. That is, of course, a reflection of those who are still looking and haven’t withdrawn from the labor force.

If WorkOhio does nothing more than a better job of connecting those who are looking with the jobs that are open, it will make an incredible difference across the state. In the meantime, however, residents of Southeast Ohio are eagerly awaiting the day a larger percentage of those open jobs are here.