Growth a regional issue
By Staff
Feb.8, 2004
Efforts to create new, better-paying jobs that will improve the quality of life for families in East Mississippi and West Alabama are to be applauded. Such a regional approach to not only leadership development but also economic development has the potential to transcend political differences between two peoples whose futures are attached at the hip.
The 2nd annual summit sponsored by The Commission on the Future of East Mississippi and West Alabama held last week at the University of West Alabama was illustrative of what needs to be done. Two governors Mississippi's Haley Barbour and Alabama's Bob Riley and two congressman Mississippi's Chip Pickering and Alabama's Artur Davis spoke of bi-state cooperation.
Traditionally, the two states have been fiercely competitive in industry recruitment. But in trying to out-do each other in terms of recruitment incentives, both states face very expensive prospects at a time of serious budget problems.
Both governors are tinkering with their economic development programs, but just think what a powerful force the two sister states could be if they genuinely worked together on development issues. A new interstate from Montgomery to Meridian? It could happen. A new industrial park straddling the border with state-of-the-art elements to entice new industry? It could happen. New education and training opportunities for workers in Mississippi and Alabama? It could happen. Better quality of life for all? It could happen.
But none of it will happen without the full participation a buy-in to the regional concept, if you will from elected officials, educators, business leaders and the public at large. Local elected officials who missed this summit displayed an appalling nonchalance for the future.
People who live in East Mississippi and West Alabama walk on common ground cultural, educational, economic. In short, more than any of the other places in either state that are enjoying the bounty of growth, we have more to gain by standing together than by falling separately.
The smart leaders in our communities will put aside whatever petty parochial agenda they may have and embrace this regional, cooperative concept of growth and development.
