2007-095-RES-Accepting and approving the Paris Economic Development Corporation Budget for the Fiscal year October 1, 2007; to September 30, 2008

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June 2007 To the Paris, Texas Community: Over the last thirty years, virtually every rural county in the United States not located on the Interstate Highway System has suffered economic decline. The rate of decline was typically very gradual. A small manufacturer would close one year, a year or two later another, some people would move away, a retail store would close, and on and on. Like erosion of soil, it was not recognized by community leaders until the economic problems became acute, when nothing would grow. After World War II, virtually every county in the United States grew economically. There was no memory or history of decline. As a result, community leaders in these areas either did not recognize the problem, or if they did, failed to take any action as they likely assumed it would simply restore itself. In Texas, there are 206 counties with a population smaller than Lamar County. Among these, 74 of them have fewer people living there today than in 1982. Over the last 20 years, Lamar County grew economically and in population. Additionally, the agricultural industry grew both in crop and livestock production. However, between 2000 and 2006, the county experienced a loss of 342 manufacturing jobs, 7% of the available jobs in this category. The year 2001 was a particularly hard year with the loss of 392 manufacturing jobs, 8% of the total available jobs in this category that year The long term prognosis for this area is not good. There is every indication Lamar County will now join the rest of the rural counties by falling into economic decline. This simply means there will be less money available for everything. Property values will likely decline and more people will have to move away. This is the likely scenario, unless the community decides to stop it from happening. This area is at a crossroads. It stands in time where most other rural counties stood twenty years ago. The advantage it has is having learned from their experiences what happens if a community does nothing about economic decline. The difference, many times, between a strong economy and one which is faltering, is "community leadership." Recently, I toured the Paris Junior College. During the tour it was pointed out to me that PJC was one of the first community colleges in Texas. Can you imagine the controversy within your community which surrounded the election when Paris residents voted to tax themselves for this progressive idea? I suspect there was more than one person who was against it. For a community Paris' size to have such foresight and leadership to cause one of the first community colleges to be built in Texas is admirable. In the Economic Development Plan created for Paris, I have identified a series of tasks and programs which need to be implemented to prevent future decline and to cause economic growth. I am sure you will find some of the ideas better than others. But the question before you now is simple. Do the residents of Paris have the will and leadership to fight to preserve your community, or will you simply do nothing and allow it to fade into the night? Having met so many nice people in Paris during my research, I am confident I know which choice you will make. Sincerely, Peter Kampfer Executive Director, PEDC