Stark County's commissioners had to try to land Volkswagen and its jobs for Stark Countians, but the effort was doomed from the beginning.The 4,000 acres demanded. No problem.
The government (Stark County and Ohio) pooling their money to build a "ready-to-go" manufacturing facility and hand the keys over to VW; not in the cards!
Because Ohio's/Stark County's economic problems are so pronounced, the money simply wasn't there to meet VW's demands.
A much deeper Stark County problem is the misguided notion that a string of county commissioners have bought into; that is to say, the idea that government must subsidize business who agree to stay in or relocate in Stark County.
What the commissioners need to do is to lead a gigantic effort to rebuild Stark County's infrastructure. Not just the physical facilities, but also the educational base, the social base and the economic planning base. The county needs to develop a reserve of cash, perhaps through a bond issue, so that it can be a real player in bringing economic development and growth to Stark County.
Unless and until Stark Countians elect commissioners who have a vision and the leadership ability to rebuild a forward looking economic base, Stark will continue to languish.
The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT posits that only Commissioner Todd Bosley has the wherewithal to lead such a venture. Neither Harmon, Hagan, Peterson nor Secrest appear to be what Stark County needs to become a ecomomic player over ensuing decades.
Agree or disagree?
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