Caldwell 20/20 in focus

I finally got to see a copy of a proposal prepared for Caldwell County by a consultant from Atlanta ( i understand why they kept it so close for so long). The purpose was to determine what could be done to help the county move forward, into the new economy. For $150 k, they got exactly what I expected. The consultant proposes a public/private partnership, doing away with the current EDC, the City of Lenoir's EDC and replacing it with a new organization, managed by a board, directed by a high paid CEO and adding a worker bee and another staff person. This great accomplishment is going to be accomplished for only two times the costs of our current efforts.

I guess it is a little difficult for me to be objective but I think the EDC has functioned extremely well over the last two years (or thereabouts since it has been under my care.) We have announced numerous projects, lots of investment, we have a retention/expansion program, a new web site, a new marketing campaign, new GIS site (in March), a green commission (set up by the county commissioners) and a new workforce development program. I say, give us the $450 K and let us hire a couple of staff people, get these folks who seem to know everything involved and lets see what happens.

Their new structure will probably work after 12 or 15 months, after they hire their CEO, a new staff and the community gets used to them. Can this community really afford to give up 15 months of effort. I don't think so and I hope there are others that think like me. My biggest problem will be expressing my opinion Friday, without losing my temper. Stay tuned for the results.