The other side of economic development

We truly live in a society where sometimes you are damned if you don’t and just as equally damned if you do. In certain positions, even a simple smile, a chuckle or the straightforward stating of facts can be interpreted as arrogance, disrespect or even mocking the very community you have worked to serve. Disagreement can quickly become personal— questioning someone’s integrity, character, motives and even deeply held beliefs.

I think it is important for the community and its leadership to know something that is rarely talked about: the other side of economic development.

Almost four years ago when I began the position of Economic Development Director, I was warned.

I was told, “There is nothing to Early County, and you are wasting your time. It’s a hopeless cause.” Comments were made that Early County was “nothing but a bunch of fields and farmers.” (Little did they know what a great comfort that particular comment was and still is for me.)

When I attended statewide meetings and introduced myself as being with the Development Authority of Early County, the responses were humbling to say the least and most often included a brow grimace followed by: “Bless your heart. “Aww. That’s cute.” And then sometimes, people simply laughed, but I kept showing up – even on the hardest of days.

I kept talking about Early County. I talked about our people, our industries, our agricultural heritage and history, our natural resources, our infrastructure, our challenges, and most importantly, our potential. I talked about what we were working on and what I believed this community could become without sacrificing what makes it special.

Somewhere along the way something started to change. People stopped laughing and making snide comments. Instead, they started asking questions.

They remembered conversations from months earlier. They asked for updates on projects. They wanted to know what we were doing differently. They began asking how Early County was positioning itself for the future. The reaction to saying “Early County” changed from sympathy to curiosity and eventually to genuine interest. Today, that shift matters greatly.

Economic development does not happen when a project announcement is made. It happens years before anyone sees the results. It happens in meetings, phone calls, site visits, relationships, research, planning, uncomfortable conversations and countless occasions when you keep showing up even when you are told there is no reason to.

However, there is another side to finally getting noticed. Progress brings criticism.

For many years, the criticism has been that nothing was happening. There were not enough opportunities. There was not enough investment. Young people were leaving. The buildings were empty. Jobs were disappearing and the list goes on.

Then opportunities began knocking on the door —and suddenly the criticism changed.

Now there are questions about whether we are changing too much, moving too quickly, pursuing the wrong opportunities or somehow abandoning the character of the community we are trying to strengthen.

Those questions are fair. People should ask questions. They should expect transparency where transparency is legally and practically possible. They should expect leaders to listen, explain, research and make thoughtful decisions. But disagreement does not require destruction of another person’s character.

A smile is not contempt. A chuckle in an uncomfortable moment is not mockery. Presenting facts does not mean dismissing someone’s concerns, and advocating for opportunities and investments does not mean someone has stopped loving the community they serve.

Progress should be questioned, examined and debated. It’s also just as important to recognize how far Early County has come. Four years ago, some people laughed when I told them which community I represent. Today, they want to know what Early County is working on next. That did not happen by accident.

Published in the Early County News August 12, 2026.