Today , the Taxpayer Association of Martinsville and Henry County releases a "Report Card on Economic Development in MHC".   Developed from data on the Virginia Economic Development Partnership website, we offer the following evaluation.
 
 
        1. The Report Card tells a story of a "lack of acceptable progress" on economic development in MHC in the last 12 years.  The report is comparable to a corporate job balance sheet comparing job announcements with losses in the Martinsville MSA which includes Henry County.   It also compares how Martinsville has performed with surrounding areas like Danville, Lynchburg, Roanoke and Bristol.  
 
         2. In terms of transparency, the Taxpayer Association wonders why the Economic Development Corporation has not reported these numbers to citizens of Henry County and city of Martinsville.   Since the EDC is funded with $ 800,000 local taxpayer dollars, should not the EDC make an annual report ( aka State of the Economy ) like this to the taxpayers ?
 
         3. As the jobs balance sheet for EDC, we conclude that the expectations and oversight of both the county board of supervisors and city council has been lacking.
 
         4. In light of the deficit of 1232 jobs in 17 years, the current salary of $ 176,140 of the EDC president is unjustified.   In our great system of free enterprise and American capitalism, leadership is paid for performance and that has not happened here.   While the EDC president has been in his position six of the 17 reported years, we believe that has been long enough for him to be held accountable.
 
         5.  The regional model of economic development is the best method to rebuild the economy.   We do not suggest that the city and county return to separate departments.    The current framework can work but it needs a new strategy.
 
         6. The high unemployment in the area has existed too long, much too long. Without a job to control his own destiny, the dignity and self worth of every unemployed citizen is at stake.

         7.  On Tuesday, February 21 at 7 pm in the County Administration Bldg on Kings Mountain Road, the Taxpayer Association will unveil its own JOBS Plan to rebuild our local economy.   Entitled "Strategic Blueprint:   A Pathway Back to Prosperity", our plan will outline specific strategies in job recruitment and education.   

              We invite all city and county residents to attend and gain a better understanding of how we can return to an acceptable level of prosperity.    A prosperity and quality of life which relies on the foundation of restoring self worth and dignity through a job. 
 

Rick Horton / Randy Scott

Executive Council
Taxpayer Association of Martinsville and Henry County
.......................................540 / 721-9003