The right vision: Joint city/county venture sets county up for success

 There is a magical thing that happens when two groups can set aside their own agendas and focus on a joint mission.

It is called progress.

And that is exactly what happened when the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and the city of Goldsboro's leadership put their heads together and came up with a solution to a problem and created a positive move for the whole area's future.

The idea? Instead of sitting on acres of land in hopes of building something someday or planning a project that is expensive and fraught with potential for high costs, they decided to come up with a joint solution.

And now, we are going to have a convention center that doubles as an agriculture center, just a short distance from a major thoroughfare.

The city has worked out a deal to allow the county to build the center on land it owns near Wayne Community College.

And the county will assist with the Goldsboro Country Club revamp and the planned multi-sports complex near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

The details are a bit complicated, so you will have to read the story to get the ins and outs.  But the bottom line is -- this is an investment in the community that should pay big dividends.

And they did it without a tax increase.

Now, just so you don't think we have gone completely soft -- there are still some questions to be worked out, especially with regard to the Goldsboro Country Club purchase. And, there is also the issue of the looming jail construction, which is a critical project -- and an expensive one.

This project was put together quickly, so there are bound to be some concerns that pop up along the way -- not the least of which is the funding that will be required to get the agriculture center off the ground.

We will be watching closely to see how all those unknowns are worked out.

But the bottom line is -- this is what you need to do if you are a county that has its eyes on growth, prosperity and jobs.

This is a competitive environment for investment of any kind.

Companies are looking for places with potential and vision. Communities that seem to be focused on improving their lot -- and the offerings for their residents -- are where businesses want to build.

Goldsboro and Wayne County are going to benefit greatly from the new highway construction right at our door.

That's part of the reason we have had so many new ventures take a look at this town.

Adding a convention center, potentially a hotel, and a multi-sports complex is another way for this community to distinguish itself from the many others who are vying for investment and attention.

This new project will not be all we need. There are still schools to build and a downtown to finish. But if we stay on track, support our local businesses and encourage new ones to invest here, we will create a community that can not only attract new residents, but can give our children something to come home to.

And this is exactly how you make that dream a reality.

And now, because we really are starting to believe in magic, perhaps these same leaders could find a way to join forces to make sure our Special Olympians will have the support they need this year.

Then, we will truly be believers.

Published in Editorials on March 7, 2015 11:36 PM