Job creation starts with ending politics of division

By Wenda McNamara
Candidate for State Representative District 76
wendymac2010@att.net

When I first announced my candidacy for State Representative, I pledged that my top priority would be to help bring new jobs to Southwestern Indiana. As we’ve watched the national recession unfold, it’s clear that economic development is more competitive and more vital than ever before. But while Indiana as a state continues to lead the country in new private-sector job growth, I can’t help but feel that our corner of the state often lags behind.

So what are we to do to ensure that new jobs come to places like Posey County? I think we must put a stop to the divisive politics so often used by those who represent us today. We must focus on those shared common goals of new jobs, increased income and a robust economic climate that is inviting to businesses looking to start up or relocate.

Nowhere is this more evident to me than in how some local leaders have handled the construction of the Aventine plant in Mount Vernon. Elected state officials have continued to lambast, ridicule and openly protest this company as they seek to bring permanent jobs to our area, all for the sake of short term political gain.

Fighting for the use of local labor in the construction of the facility is certainly a worthy cause, and an idea I champion wherever possible. But putting members of the community at odds with one another on economic development issues isn’t a case where one side wins and one side loses. If the plant doesn’t open at all, we all lose out on those new jobs and that new economic development.

But this isn’t just about one plant. This is about the message it sends to other businesses that could potentially bring other jobs. When they look at how hostile our legislative leaders have been to one business, what incentive is there for any of them to attempt the same? In an economic climate where business is already tough, why add the burden of unfriendly elected officials?

Under the current economic strain, we need leaders who will do everything possible to bring together the labor force and business owners who would invest in our corner of the state. We must send the message that Posey County and Southwestern Indiana are open for business, and we welcome with open arms any who would like to add jobs here. We’re all in this together, and the politics of division do nothing to benefit any of us. We need representatives who will work to bridge those divides, not create them.