Last Thursday’s meeting in Marion with representatives from a three-county area, including the mayors of Anderson, Muncie and deputy mayor of Marion, was historic in the spirit of regional cooperation.
In the past, the three cities have been protective of their area and very competitive when it came to attracting businesses. They kept their deals close to the vest and if there were any secrets to landing a business and the ensuing jobs, all lips were sealed.
That kind of attitude might be changing. The tri-county area is experiencing severe job loss, mounting unemployment, devastating assessed valuation and the accompanying revenue loss and decaying infrastructure. For the first time, city leaders are realizing that they are not in this alone and might be able to actually help each other.
The officials — Anderson’s Kris Ockomon, Muncie’s Sharon McShurley and Marion’s Deputy Mayor Stacy Henderson — were the focal point, but more than 100 others showed up to learn new ideas about cooperation.
“We’re not competing with Anderson or Grant County. We’re competing against Indonesia, Turkey and China,” said McShurley.
She’s got a point. The global economy has forced states like Indiana, and the communities within, to compete on an international scale for jobs. Most of the tri-county area had numerous automotive jobs leave and go outside the country to take advantage of low foreign wages. With those jobs gone, the communities have had to scramble to find replacement employment and, often as not, been unsuccessful.
Officials brought up the fact that education will play a major role in landing jobs. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob said workers will need to know math if they hope to attract manufacturing jobs.
Anderson, Marion and Muncie have all found some success. Marion landed a Wal-Mart warehouse, and Muncie will be home to Brevini. Both of those companies located on Interstate 69, which means easy driving distance for Madison County workers. Anderson, of course, has Nestle and Hoosier Park as relatively new employers.
When Muncie landed Brevini, Madison County officials were pragmatic, knowing that the jobs will be close enough for local workers. That kind of attitude can build allies in a common cause.
To be sure, there will always be a healthy competition among the counties and cities. But officials realize that cooperation in education and job openings will help the residents of these counties throw off the yoke of the past and meet the future united.
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