Prize Catch County Industrial Planning Pays Off

Economic development doesn't just happen. Foresight, investments and effort go a long way toward bringing the kind of industry and jobs that communities need. The Mercedes-Benz, Boeing and Honda plants are high-profile examples of government and industrial recruiters working with industry to land prized production plants. An example even closer to home is the decision by OfficeMax Inc. to locate a $45 million distribution center in a county-owned industrial park in western Jefferson County. Until last year, the park didn't exist. Just over three years ago, the county agency that worked to create it didn't exist either. But as early as next month, construction could start on the PowerMax distribution center that will employ 350 people and serve stores throughout the Southeast. Give thanks to the Jefferson County Commission, which created the industry-recruiting Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Develop ment Authority in 1996, and agreed to spend $17 million last year to buy and develop 736 acres in McCalla for the light industrial park. Special kudos to County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins, who chairs the commission's economic development committee and pushed the idea to spur economic development in the county. Landing PowerMax is important in ways other than the jobs and tax revenues it will bring. It's a big-name industry that will bring identity to the park and make the task of attracting other industries easier. Officials chose a great location for the industrial park - on the outskirts of Jefferson County, near interstates 20/59 and 459, and with access to a major rail line that runs past the Mercedes plant in Vance. That's one reason it beat out four other Southeastern sites for the distribution center. But having a park already developed with infrastructure in place was a major plus. There is no substitute for good planning.