Thursday Update: Candidates discuss economic development

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The candidates for county commission discussed the importance of economic development in Franklin County and the role they would play in the economic development should they be elected during a public forum this week.
Mitch Mays, Executive Director of the Franklin County Development Authority, served as moderator for the Forum on Economic Development while county residents Clint Dotson, Jeff Bowling and Glen Vinson served as panelists and asked questions during the event.
All the candidates agreed on what measures need to be taken to build the foundation to attract new businesses to the area.
The most important being the completion of Highway 24, which will connect to Interstate 22.
"Water, gas, roads, and electricity," Jackie Bradford said. "All of these are important components, but the most important is Highway 24 and its completion."
All the candidates agreed that all these are important infrastructures to have in place to recruit industry. But, they also agreed that the county needs to be aware of the industries that might want to come to Franklin County in order to have everything they are looking for.
"We really don't know what we need until we know what's coming," said candidate Howard Hutcheson.
Another important topic during the forum was cooperation between the county commission, the Franklin County Economic Development Authority and the Russellville Economic Development board.