By Staff
I've worked in several small communities, some more than once.
I've seen committees and boards and panels and commissions that form, kick around some great ideas, and then die for lack of effort or interest.
But the polished effort of the Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority - joining Escambia, Conecuh and Monroe counties - boasts the best cooperation I've seen yet.
At a breakfast Tuesday morning, leaders in those counties bragged that they have something special - and they're right.
But they also know how tenuous that bond can be.
But if the work the CGEDA has done so far is any indication, the authority is growing stronger every day.
Economic development is tricky business. So much happens behind the scenes that it can be difficult for the average person on the outside to know what work is done. But sealing the deal on a new industry is just one piece of the puzzle in economic development.
And Coastal Gateway has several committees working hard to improve the counties so that when industry comes knocking, we have something to offer.
So far, those committees are busy: