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Editor's Viewpoint

Carroll County’s Return to Top 10 In Unemployment is Embarrassing

Posted

Carroll County needs to envision and then enact a new economic development plan. It is embarrassing to see the county’s unemployment percentages in the bottom of statewide statistics in May 2019. The county has hovered in that area for several years with little to no action by the county.

When the county of Carroll approves its budget in August for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, it is time for commissioners to demand an action plan of the Chamber of how the people’s money is spent on economic development. Clear benchmarks need to be established along with an accounting of where the funds are applied. The county of Carroll, Carroll County Electric/TVA and the town of Huntingdon contribute to the county’s economic development program. The contributions total more than $100,000 annually. 

It is no secret rural counties continue to lose economic ground to the urban areas. Part of Carroll County’s problem lies in the fact there is little intra-county cooperation. McKenzie had a great economic developer in Frank Tate, who previously worked for Kentucky’s economic development. He left McKenzie one year ago and was hired by Montgomery County to lead its economic development program. Montgomery County has one of the most successful programs in the state. 

Carroll County has recently announced new jobs in Huntingdon, McKenzie and Bruceton. That is great news and long overdue. In contrast, the county has also lost hundreds of jobs with the closing of the McKenzie hospital and two retail establishments – Fred’s and Save-A-Lot in Huntingdon. 

It is time for a new plan with an advisory board that represents the entire county, not just a few.

(Washburn serves as an elected county commissioner and an appointed member of the McKenzie Industrial Board).

Editor, Publisher, Joel Washburn, Viewpoint