The City of Demopolis has entered into a $4.5 million loan agreement with its eyes on the prize. That prize is jobs.

In these economic times, taking out a loan can be worrisome with uncertain and unstable tax revenues and people living day to day and paycheck to paycheck. But this was a slam dunk opportunity.

Is it fraught with risk? Absolutely. But it is ripe with rewards. If the dream is realized, the circumstances of thousands in Alabama’s Black Belt will forever be changed.

We can’t rely on much aid from Montgomery or Washington. If the terms and living and working conditions are truly going to change, we’re going to have to lead that charge on the local level. We’re going to have to take that risk knowing that our children and grandchildren can have a brighter future because of it.