To the Editor:

In 1998, Chairman of the Morgan County of Board of Commissioners Mack Bohlen was approached by the Newton County Board of Commissioners. The state was implementing a new approach to industrial development. The communities would join together and form a Joint Development Authority (JDA). This would allow the cost development to be shared among counties. It would allow for more attractive developments and attract larger, high tech industries. The state promised JDAs would be given priority when showcasing sites to new industries. Newton County invited Morgan County to form a JDA. Due to foresight and visions of the 1998 commissioners Chairman Bohlen, Michael Nabors, Curtis Butler, Thomas Bell and Dewitt Knight, Morgan County became a member of the JDA. It has taken many years for the investment to bear fruit, but I expect with the groundbreaking of Baxter Biomedical all the citizens of our county will benefit from the decision in 1998. In these difficult economic times, the expanding economic activity from construction and the 1,500 future, good-paying jobs is a blessing communities all across our nation would welcome. Most experts in the industrial development field believe that Baxter is only the beginning and the future promises the location of other industries. We are grateful to the County Commissioners of 1998 for having a vision and being a part of the JDA. Thanks to Alan Verner and Mack Bohlen for giving their time and serving on the JDA Board and thanks to Governor Deal and his staff for all of their work in getting Baxter to our community.

H. Vinson DeLaigle
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the August 2, 2012 edition.