Economic Development begins with reading

I’ve always loved to read. Both of my parents contributed to that love of reading. Mama has read every “Little Golden Book” written to me, my sisters and nephews at least a dozen times and daddy spent many hours in line outside of Booksa Million or Sam’s Club each time a new Harry Potter book was released.

I read books much slower than I once did – and not just because I now have a slightly harder time seeing the print; but because I want to truly process and understand the vision the writer is trying to relay. Economic development begins with reading. Books open up a whole new world to young, old and every age in between. It gives people the ability to use their imaginations and translate ideas and dreams into tangible opportunities.

Reading can be strongly linked to economic success for individuals and the entire community. Literacy is a basic foundation to our education and skill development. This makes for a much stronger (and employable) workforce because people who read more will be more likely to acquire higher cognitive and skill development. As society transitions into an even more technologically advanced world, it is imperative to strengthen our future workforce’s literacy rates so they are competitive and adaptable.

Early County and Blakely are fortunate to have avenues, such as our local libraries, Early County Family Connection, Mayor’s Reading Club and our schools that provide everyone the opportunity to read books and discover all the wonderful possibilities available – even in their own backyard.

The content of my reading has changed somewhat through the years, even though I still love a good fictitious story. Recently, I’ve been reading “an economic development book,” entitled 13 Ways To Kill Your Community (Doug Griffiths, 2016). It gives readers a different perspective.

Unlike most books of this kind, it gives instructions on what to do to not encourage investment in the community. As I make my way through the chapters, I’m sure I’ll be able to relate the information to our development efforts in Early County.

Next time you find yourself questioning whether or not you can truly contribute to the economic development efforts in the community – pick up a book and start reading – either to yourself or the nearest person. You never know which words on the page will spark an idea that will ignite a passion for community and blaze a path towards a better quality of life attainable for all who are motivated enough to work for it.

Published in the Early County News on October 1, 2025.