This week, the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation selected a new leader – architect Robert Dalton – to lead the organization.

Thursday, February 17, 2000

This week, the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation selected a new leader – architect Robert Dalton – to lead the organization.

The former LEDC chief, Ohio University Southern Campus dean Bill Dingus, refused to accept reappointment to his post.

With this change in leadership, the LEDC has a chance to start again, too, to mend some of the fences it has destroyed in the last few years with the community it is supposed to serve.

At its meeting, LEDC members emphasized that sometimes the business they conduct must remain secret. They cannot very well release the name of a potential industrial client – that is the surest way to lose a client. Some commented that they did not understand why there has been some criticism of this and other policies over the past year.

But, that is a cop out.

LEDC members might not be able to release the names of potential employers, but they certainly could make the community aware of the efforts they are making on its behalf – and be more responsive to the concerns of families that are about to face unemployment.

This is an organization that is supposed to serve the residents of Lawrence County. It is supported, in part, through government funds – which come from our tax dollars.

That means there is an obligation here that – like it or not – is not being met if the community does not believe the LEDC is acting in its best interest.

A new leader means a new chance to fix some of the damage that has been done to the LEDC’s reputation in this county. Perhaps, with a little work, maybe a little trust could start to grow again.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for this community to unite and to work together for the future. The compromises that accompany such a proposal should not only be on the part of the community.

The LEDC has a job to do – convince potential employers that this is the place they should put their business. That requires not only having a product to market, but becoming leaders in uniting residents and businesses toward a common goal.

Leadership is what this county needs now, not more politics and agents of influence.

Perhaps this could be one of the LEDC’s resolutions for 2000.