Good economic development takes a lot of foresight and especially community leadership with a commitment to the future of “preparing the table”. It’s a long-term commitment with significant investment. The payoffs are huge in terms of employment opportunities, education, quality of life, expanded municipal services, amongst others with broad participation by all. If a community is not growing, it is declining, ever so slowly. All communities go through cycles, but one tends to forget the lows during the good times.
The cooperation between the stakeholders of our region is exceptional and the envy by others within and outside of our state. The mission and purpose of the JDA, established by our forefathers, has resulted in many recent big wins, not to mention other significant projects collectively within our four counties over the last 20-plus years, and are the solid foundation for future generations.
Competition for industry, especially those with much to offer, is extremely fierce. The highly desired Rivian project is the best of the best. Their corporate focus on employees, the environment, technology, sustainability, and best practices in the industry of electric vehicles is admirable, to say the least.
The location selected has been in focus as a large project destination for many years. There are examples over recent years with big names where we came in second. This region took pride in even being considered because these types of projects are few and far between. Just being a runner up was considered a success; it meant we had the environment and team in place to add to our growing list of incredible wins, wins that will continue paying dividends for generations to come. The economic impact and benefits are and continue to be incredible!
The industrial development and construction company I spent 35 years working for, before retiring in 2007, was one of the largest privately owned firms in the SEUSA, focusing on areas well in advance of the path of growth 20 years prior. And when the time was right, partnering with the communities to help develop quality industrial parks. Some developments were 50 acres, but others were as large as 1,000 acres. This was an incredible win/win/win experience: industry, developer and especially the community (where revenues, once turned on, continue growing along with the other benefits). The developments along with increasing revenues continue to provide support and enhance municipal services for the benefit of those communities. I have had the privilege of directly witnessing Industry providing good jobs, and opportunities for its citizens and small businesses.
One of those communities where leadership was discovered early on is Covington. In 1979 we established such a relationship and since that time, constructed 5 million square feet of distribution and manufacturing buildings, helping increase the tax revenue sufficient to reduce its citizen’s taxes to less than 50% of the budget, not to mention adding good paying jobs. I liked the community so much, my family and I moved here in 1998, and then into the City of Covington in 2019.
My experience and passion for the area and its communities’ successes should display my support for this once in a lifetime incredible project and I am proud to have the opportunity to have participated in it, along with the community represented JDA team.
Jerry Silvio, of Silvio Development Company, is chairman of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties.
