Put away the pitchforks

Rachel Hendricks is passionate about her job. Ask her, she’ll tell you. The Deputy Director for Economic Development at the Pike County Economic Development Authority appeared before the Milford Township Supervisors Monday to explain that the authority had dropped the word “industrial” and inserted “economic” in its name. “It better defines what we do,” she said. And what they do remains an uphill battle with local governments and residents who are skeptical of any new large employers locating in Pike and the impacts that those businesses might make on the landscape. Pike County is competing in a global market for relocating business and we’re meeting those businesses with a reluctance instead of a welcome in many cases, she said. Hendricks said , “That doesn’t mean we roll over for them, but there is also a way of showing hospitality and not putting up roadblocks.” Noting that Pike County’s unemployment rate hit 10 percent last year and that eight of the county’s top ten employers are either government or large retail concerns, Hendricks warned that a change in the “not in my backyard” attitude is needed. “If we don’t build new, we can’t be sustainable. If we chase everyone out with pitchforks, we’re not going to have jobs. Those with jobs will be left to pay the taxes and no one will be able to afford to live here.” For more on the authority’s efforts, see page 19.