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Two-county effort for economic development makes sense We realize that money doesn't grow on trees and that the Clarke County governments can't make all appropriations requested, no matter how good they may be. That being said, we hope that the county commission and municipalities can find the money to help fund the new Twin Rivers Economic Development Partnership, a joint effort between Clarke and Choctaw counties to promote economic development and community growth. The cooperative effort is being patterned after other regional efforts in the state and nation that have proven that promoting a larger region rather than just specific counties or municipalities often gets a better response. Twin Rivers is governed by a board of directors from the two counties. Clarke County is fortunate to have three good, solid businessmen as its representatives: Buddy Bedwell of Thomasville, Chip Harrigan of Grove Hill and Paul Parham of Jackson. Twin Rivers has already contacted businesses and industries in the two-county area to get a feel for support of the partnership and the response is encouraging. Many have said they are willing to contribute money to help fund an organization to promote the region and build the region. This isn't to take the place of more localized efforts being promoted by the municipalities and counties. Where the concept has worked, the regional organization has served as a unifying and umbrella type organization to help coordinate promotional efforts and community work. Organizers want a real and viable economic development regional organization. It will cost money. A beginning budget of $150,000 a year with a five-year commitment is needed for it to be a serious contender in economic and community development circles. Clarke County has been asked to contribute $2 per capita, or about $56,000 annually. The municipalities have also been asked to give. A countywide lodging tax generates a good bit of money and should be looked at for helping to fund at least some of the county's share. Simply having an organization in name only won't produce results. It will take money to have a viable organization and good personnel working to promote our region.
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