(March 10, 2008) – Why am I committing $200 a year for the next three years to the Anson Economic Development Corp. (AEDC)?
     It's an easy answer.
     I want to see good things happen for our communities, and it takes money (mainly our tax dollars now) to make something happen.
     Although I have resided in Wadesboro for only 17 years, I feel like a native. As a taxpaying resident, I want to see Anson County prosper. By prospering, our county and municipal governments will realize a much needed tax-base from new industry development that will alleviate the pressure currently shouldered by you and me, and our current businesses and industries. We all foot the bill so our county and municipal governments may achieve the massive budgetary demands they face each fiscal year.
     Our county commissioners have done their level best to financially support economic development efforts. So has the AEDC, a non-profit organization committed to working hand-in-hand with our local governments and political representatives in the North Carolina Legislature and the United State Congress.
     The AEDC has been a guiding, private sector force in economic development – always there when needed. Although manpower and words of wisdom have been the principle tools available through the AEDC, the organization has never had any real money in the bank to basically step up and pay forward.
     That can change. It will change, now that the AEDC has initiated a campaign to ask 500 private citizens for $200 each, and a commitment for that same amount again in 2009 and again in 2010. That's $100,000 per year.
     Admittedly, not all 500 people who will be contacted by an AEDC board member will offer up a $200 check. In the real world, money is tight – so a $50 or $100 donation will be okay. So would a couple of $1,000 donations.
     How will the money be spent? To be honest, the AEDC's executive committee and directors are unsure right now. However, donors can bank on seeing the money spent to foster economic development programs – whether joining the county commissioners and/or town councils in a public-private partnership or assisting the economic development director. A partnership will be able to reach out and establish an industrial base that will create jobs, help retain our current industries, increase the tax base, and, my hope, lower our personal tax rates.
     A leap of faith on the part of our citizens will equate to an immediately available funding source. With funding, the AEDC can make things happen.
     That's why I am committing my $200 to the AEDC. That's why I think my fellow Ansonians will want to do the same in the days to come.