Four economists looked into their crystal balls Tuesday at Anderson Country Club during the annual economic forecast and came up with this projection: Things will get better. Slowly, perhaps not steadily.
Dagney Faulk of Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research talked specifically about the economy in east central Indiana. She noted that the area’s past reliance on the automotive industry is hindering its recovery from the deepest part of the recession.
It was another way of saying what folks living in this community have heard for more than a decade: The local economy must be diversified. When a region is subject to the whims of a particular industry, its peaks are high and its valleys low. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience a steady climb with the occasional dip in the road?
To use a distinctly Hoosier expression: You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Yet the Madison County area should seek to capitalize on its past, and is doing just that at the Flagship Enterprise Center off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Interstate 69. New businesses, many of which capitalize on our rich base of automotive industry and electronics knowledge, are springing up, some holding the promise of thousands of jobs.
What we really need, though, is more businesses — and not just retail — that provide 10, 20, 50, 100 jobs. A hundred such businesses, spread across economic sectors, is preferable to a handful that employ the same combined number of people. One of the latter goes under, and the community takes a big hit. One of the former folds, and the suffering is limited.
Yes, Anderson and the surrounding area have been hit hard by the one-two punch of the first auto industry bailout (to Mexico) and the recent recession. But remember what makes a fighter tough — the experience of taking a punch or two and realizing you need a variety of tactics (some aggressive, some thoughtful) to fight back.
That’s the spirit that east central Indiana must adopt.
Editorials
Editorial: Anderson area needs a varied economy
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Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
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Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
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Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
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Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
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Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
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Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
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You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: Ockomon-Spencer saga hurt city's reputation
Wednesday, May 16, was a sad day for Anderson taxpayers forced to pay a $128,000 bill that ends a saga that never should have started
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Editorial: It's Pendleton's time to shine this weekend
The residents of Pendleton can be a little prouder of themselves today. Two events capture the community spirit that makes the town one of the gems in our region.
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Editorial: Little 500 Festival, local events heating up Saturday
Like the Indianapolis 500, Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 should be on the bucket list for folks living in the Madison County area.
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