Dear Du Quoin: Worst kind of economic development is that which is done in the public eye

In February of this year John Rednour stepped down as mayor after a very strong 24 years of productive service to Du Quoin. John loved being mayor, and I know that resigning a position so important to him spoke volumes about the depth of the pressing health issues he faced. This week Mayor Rednour undergoes a novel procedure at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis that promises to significantly improve his quality of life. To John I extend my very best wishes for a successful procedure, quick recovery, and a return to your office at the State Bank. I'm looking forward to his return to vitality. I still need some mentoring!

I frequently get questions from concerned citizens about economic development, questions like "When are we going to get a new grocery store?" and "I hear fill in the major national corporation is going to build a factory at the Industrial Park. Is that true?" My answers are disappointing, typically loaded with unhelpful misdirection, vagueness, and observations about the weather. Why won't I answer those questions? OK, that one I will answer.

The very worst kind of economic development is that which is done in the public eye. Du Quoin governance needs to be and is transparent, but there's a line in the sand when it comes to private sector entities that are interested in locating to Du Quoin, their rights to privacy, and the competitive nature of attracting business and industry. I won't jeopardize new development opportunities by making premature announcements. I've seen that happen way too often.

Back in the late 1980's some of you may recall that word got out about a turkey processor interested in locating near Rend Lake College. It was rumored to be a big operation with a lot of jobs. Predictably, politicians got involved, the whole thing became too public, and the processor pulled the proverbial plug. That property still stands empty today. There's a moral to that story that should still reverberate throughout the region.

Some communities utilize economic development committees. I'm not sold on those, believing that the more who know about a potential project the more likely it is that the project will be revealed prematurely. We have an excellent economic developer in Jeff Ashauer. I trust his judgment on these matters implicitly. He works constructively with City Administrator Brad Myers. One of their mutual qualities is their understanding of the professionalism of confidentiality in such matters.

Businesses today - particularly larger corporate interests - simply refuse to discuss their plans publicly. They know better and I don't blame them. They would be bombarded by special interests, local politicians, job seekers, competing developers, and others with some axe or other to grind. There's simply no return on an investment made too early. Those are the rules of the game, and our economic development efforts have to play by those rules.

My first rule of thumb is to keep development opportunities in confidence until such time as either the business owner decides to make an announcement or an action is needed that requires a public vote. At such time that either or both of those conditions occur I'll spill the beans, but not before.

My second rule of thumb is that local development wins are best reported locally. That's why you'll read the details first in our hometown newspaper, the Du Quoin Evening Call. Once news of a development win begins to break I'll call the Call.

We do have some exciting opportunities ahead. I feel very good about the direction Du Quoin appears to be headed and the confidence others seem to be express about our community. Saying too much too soon, though, would be hurtful to Du Quoin - to you - and I just won't do that. Patience in all things! We'll talk again soon.