Eric McDonald, president, Polk County Chamber/Development Authority, has spent the last six months working with local and community leaders to define goals and develop a strategic plan for the future.

His first priority was to meet the people and learn the resources, including political structure, industrial parks, government policies and answers to such questions as “What am I missing when I drive through town?”

As a newcomer, McDonald’s first impressions immediately changed.

When he first arrived, his view of Rockmart was gained from riding the Silver Comet Trail and discovering a unique downtown with historic architecture and scenic beauty.

He plans, when the sun is right, to take a photo from Rose Hill and capture the vista below. “There is beauty in this valley that includes Euharlee Creek, businesses, churches and more,” he said.

His impression of Cedartown has also changed.

“When traveling along U.S. Highway 27 to Rome or Chattanooga, I did not think the main corridor in Cedartown was well kept,” he said. “Then I rode down College Street and I saw a different part of this community - one with beautiful old homes surrounded with spacious lawns filled with towering trees.”

After assuming his position, McDonald worked to get the Chamber to focus on its members and find ways to capitalize on the brand of the organization. The challenge was to determine what was successful.

He also wanted to know the strategic vision for economic development in Polk, and he believes now is a perfect time to work on a plan due to the slow economy.

“Costs are low, which creates opportunity for building or remodeling structures to attract industry,” he said. “We want to be ready to pounce when the economy picks up. Dalton is a perfect example. They wanted to bring in industry, but they did not have a good park. Volkswagen landed in Chattanooga, where the infrastructure was in place.”

Placing Polk competitively in economic development is also a priority. This includes keeping everyone - the development authority, cities and county - on the same page.

“We need to have a continuum of readiness so that we are most competitive with resources that are available,” McDonald explained. “The only thing between us and an international industrial park is money.”

He emphasized that Polk has good industrial parks in Rockmart and Cedartown. The one in Rockmart has about 60 acres but needs more land. The Rockmart Development Authority and the Development Authority of Polk County are exploring ways to expand it. The largest available site is about 20 acres.

There are 225 acres adjacent to the North Business Park in Cedartown, but it is green space. McDonald said it needs infrastructure - road, water and sewer - plus a plan on how to grade it to maximize the available land.

A bright light in a sluggish economy is Polk’s existing and new industries. Today, there has been a net gain of employees at Engineered Fabrics, D&M Metals, Miura Manufacturing, Nordic Cold Storage and C. W. Matthews.

McDonald said two challenges confront local officials who plan for the future:

Finding a way to keep youth from leaving Polk when they graduate and creating an atmosphere that will promote and support people seeking to open a new businesses or small company.