Economic report card shows great promise

ISSUE: Latest rankings for E'town MSA
OUR VIEW: Opportunity requires action

The local area continues to celebrate the arrival of new businesses, construction of new buildings and announcements about new jobs. Think how extraordinary things could be if the national economy could escape from the layers of recessionary glue that seem to hold the nation in its grip.

The Heartland region is developing and the numbers prove it.

The latest statistical support for the local enthusiasm comes from a study published by Area Development magazine. It says the Elizabethtown MSA finished 45th in the 100 Leading Locations for 2012 and placed fifth out of the top 20 southern cities ranked for economic and job growth.

MSAs were measured based on prime workforce growth, economic strength and recession busting factors including unemployment rates and employment growth among other factors.

Area Development is more than just a magazine. It’s a leading site selection and economic development publication, examined 365 MSAs in the U.S. based on roughly two dozen indicators using federal measurements.

Elizabethtown also ranked seventh out of 25 small cities in recession-busting factors, including unemployment figures and job development tallies. The publication said that analysis salutes areas that have battled back against adversity.

The Elizabethtown MSA, which includes all of Hardin and LaRue counties, is one of the hottest spots in the country. It continues to benefit from the bounce of the Base Realignment and Closure initiative that reshaped Fort Knox. The community continues to step up thanks to increased disposable income available plus changing expectations and needs. 

Word is spreading across the state and region with every new ribbon cutting. The buzz even echoed upon itself when a Lexington sports celebrity hosting last weekend Hall of Fame induction ceremony described Elizabethtown as a place where solutions are found.

Here’s the key question: Will this one day be seen as a prosperous blip in the history of Hardin and LaRue counties? Or can it be the beginning of something more?

Luke Schmidt, a consultant for Hardin County United, has been praising and promoting each new ranking. He’s convinced that the MSA numbers give the community an opportunity to leverage its economic viability for possible expansion and acquisition of new industries as the recession winds down.

The statistics show that we have a solid lever. The fulcrum used as a basis for support is our unique location, network of highways and utility infrastructure. Now all that’s needed is the application of force.

The opportunity stands before our community, its governmental officials, its business leaders and each resident. The Elizabethtown MSA is prepared to strike economic gold if appropriate, well-timed action can be applied.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise's editorial board.