The city of Baldwin calls itself “The Hub of Development in Northeast Georgia.” We have many times wondered whether that moniker is deserved or earned.
But maybe this is the dawn of a new era.
After making statements last week that indicated a split from Partnership Habersham was imminent, the Baldwin City Council pulled one of its famous about-faces and voted unanimously to stay connected to the county’s primary force for economic development.
This was a wise choice for everyone involved. As we have said in previous opinions, the only way we will get to the future is together.
Baldwin is geographically positioned to be an asset to all of Habersham County’s future. The city has shown a strong willingness to beckon housing growth, but industrial growth has come slower.
The city finally issued a permit for Don Higgins to begin construction on his spec building after nine months. The blame for that delay falls squarely on several different people, depending on your own point of view.
And after making threats to break away from Partnership Habersham, Baldwin decided to stick instead of kick.
This is crucial for our county’s future, as we are supposed to be a Gateway Community, where county and city governments partner not only with private sector community leaders, but each other as well.
We desperately needs this level of cooperation and the taxpayers and future generations deserve it. Habersham County need not be Atlanta or its orbiting satellites, but we do need to get the tax burden off the backs of our property owners and onto business and industry.
More to the point, we need those industries to create the kinds of jobs that will keep our well-educated students in Habersham County. Our local school system is doing a fine job of raising and teaching our young people only to see many of them leave the county for better horizons as adults.
With Baldwin showing its willingness to be a part of this cooperative future, we can move past many of these petty squabbles that have slowed the wheels of progress for too long.
What is in the past is irrelevant – all we can control is our future. We need to look forward to a Habersham County that pulls the rope the same direction and accomplishes its economic goals.
Kudos to Baldwin for recognizing the importance of these alliances. Let us hope that continues as the Business Park and other future developments come to fruition.