Not a quick fix
Now that Marion County Commission has made the decision to hire a county economic development facilitator, everyone needs to take a deep breath and be patient.
Just because a person is being hired it doesn't guarantee automatic success.
Ground work has to be laid, relationships developed, and goals set.
Success will be measured in different ways — not just the number of business expansions or new businesses brought to the county.
These are tough economic times. Successful recruitment might be several years away but not possible without the necessary preparations.
When the City of Marion established its industrial park, some residents thought the park should be filled in a matter of a few years.
No one could have predicted the events of Sept. 11, and the downturn of the economy. But the city is positioned and ready for whatever may be brought to the community.
Communities have to be responsible for their own successes. The best recruiter in the world cannot bring businesses to communities that are not prepared.
We all need to understand the spirit of cooperation. When one area of the county experiences a success, we all should celebrate it.
The trickle-down effect may influence our little corner of the world in a positive way.
Businesses locate or expand in certain areas for specific reasons. Let's just be grateful wherever it happens.
Development isn't cheap but the rewards could be immeasurable. It's a great opportunity for city and rural residents to work toward a common goal.
Cost for a development department: $100,000. Volunteers' time to make it happen: hundreds of hours. Benefits to the county: priceless.
— SUSAN BERG
