The Industrial Development Board stands at a crossroads in the wake of Jay Shows&8217; decision to step down as executive secretary.

First, we must recognize Shows for what he has done for the city and the board. As a businessman who has helped grow the economy of our area through investments and development, he was well suited to help lead the IDB.

With his departure, the IDB must now look to what is next. They can continue in the same direction or they can go down a different path.

Given developments over the past few years &8212; right up to this month&8217;s announcement of ThyssenKrupp is locating a steel plant in Mobile County &8212; the future of our area is ripe for new business recruitment.

One

of the keys to our area landing strong businesses that will create hundreds of jobs is working not as a city or a county but as a region.

County and city leaders throughout Marengo County must come together and work toward a common goal.

Perhaps, with the IDB looking to choose a new executive secretary this

the time to explore more regional efforts.

To that end, the City of Demopolis should consider providing additional funding for this position so that a trained, experienced economic developer can be lured to the area.

We take nothing away from Shows and the work that he has done. But we now believe it is time to take the position in a different direction.

For businesses to invest in our area, we must first invest in recruitment efforts.