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Two leaders need to work together
Staff Report
Published November 21, 2009
With the separation of director positions at the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce and the Paris Economic Development Corporation comes an opportunity for these two community forces to develop Paris and Lamar County from two fronts.
It’s a new twist to divide and conquer.
Now that each entity will have its own director, the two leaders can pursue in-depth their individual agendas — economic growth and stimulus for businesses for the chamber, and industrial retention and expansion and workforce development for PEDC. These are areas that require focused attention in this era of national economic uncertainty.
Mindy Moree has spent the past 12 years working at the chamber — most of those years as chamber director. Her long-standing knowledge of the area will allow her to hit the ground running.
New events, such as political forums this spring and a series of young executive socials, are already in the works. They will complement the many areas the chamber has traditionally maintained. Building a close-knit community in all areas is a key to continued prosperity for businesses and residents.
Steve Gilbert brings an outside point of view to his position as executive director of PEDC. The Paris News was told by an employee at the Stroud City Hall that Paris has gained a great asset for the community.
Gilbert has a proven record for economic development in towns large and small. He most recently worked as city manager and director for economic development for Stroud, Okla., a town of 2,500. He also worked in Tulsa, St. Louis and Memphis, gaining large-town experience, which can be utilized in creating an aggressive plan for this area’s industrial growth.
These groups need to work in tandem to push toward finishing the four-lane expansion of Texas 19/24. There are 10 miles of two-lane left between Paris and I-30; 10 miles that is seen as a deterrent to large retailers and industry.
We see this as an opportunity for these two leaders to be bold and insightful in their game plans, brave in promoting Paris and Lamar County and tenacious in their efforts to bring continued growth and long-standing prosperity to the area.
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