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Lamar County — Paris Economic Development Plan <br />not show itself to be a profitable location, all of the parks and museums in the world will not <br />influence the decision to move to an area. <br />As the Paris economy grows, there will be more wealth available to pay for more quality of life <br />amenities. <br />Recommendation: At the present time the community should resist using economic resources, <br />which could go toward an economic development program, to create "quality of life" amenities. <br />After the economy improves there will be financial resources available for such projects. <br />Implementation of the Economic Development Plan <br />Each program or issue previously described included recommendations and tasks which need to <br />be considered or implemented. <br />There are two issues, however, which will influence all of these issues: community support and <br />funding for the programs. <br />Community Support: <br />Few areas have been able to implement a successful economic development program without the <br />support of the "community." The term "economic development" is not understood by most <br />people. When individuals do not understand something, they usually resist it. <br />In order to be successful, The Paris community must support the program -- politically and <br />financially. <br />As a result, the Paris Economic Development Corporation, in conjunction with all other <br />stakeholders, needs to launch a community education program. The program should describe the <br />implications of not working to improve the economy, how it will gradually decline, and its <br />impact upon virtually every facet of the community. <br />The Plan itself should be explained, why each program is needed, who will do it, and especially <br />why it will cost what it does. Most important, the benefits of being successful should be <br />thoroughly presented, along with the consequences of failure. <br />Community education is vital in order to secure a dedicated funding source for the program. <br />Recommendation: <br />• Several presentations to the community regarding the need for and the content of the Plan <br />should be given by the leadership of the community. At these presentations, <br />representatives of all branches of government, the educational system, and the business <br />community should be participants, demonstrating a unity of effort. <br />Paris Economic Development Corporation Page 33 <br />