The towns of Wilmington, Whtingham, and Dover received a preliminary report on their joint economic development efforts recently, and a couple of things really jumped out at us.

One was the idea that when we hold events or festivals, we should focus more on ones that reflect us. Simple concept, but one that is often hard to grasp. What it comes down to, we guess, is that we do a better job promoting and organizing something we do all the time anyway, rather than trying to be something more than we already are. So have at it, event planners. Take a look around and see what we do for fun here in our area. Then see if we can make a festival or event out of it.

The second thing is the continued need for improved communications systems. We know this is on the forefront of just about every development group in the state, but somehow there are certain areas of the state that just can’t get traction. East Dover, Halifax, and many other rural areas of the region come to mind. We need to continue the focus on upgrading and improving systems, both for high-speed Internet access and reliable cell phone service.

Sometimes the real value in a study like the one Mullin and Associates is conducting is that it takes someone else to see what is right in front of us. It’s like trying to find the remote. We know it’s somewhere in the room, we just need another set of eyes to find it. In some ways, economic development, or at least using consultants, is a lot like that. Mullin tells us we have a lot of good things going for us, things that will help us take on the challenges we face. Those challenges then just boil down to a matter of priorities: Which ones do we take on first, and which will have the greatest short-term and long-term impacts.

As we enjoy this Labor Day weekend, the time is right to reflect on the fruits of our collective labors. Take stock of where we are, and think about where we are going.