"Just do something," is the challenge from these Adair County leaders. In every spare moment since early September, they have met with peers from Green and Taylor Counties to "act with urgency" in efforts to recruit jobs.

"Many mornings we watched the sun come up," says Larry Walker, "meeting as early as 5:30 - not to ask, 'what can we do?', but to ask, 'what's the next step. And the next after that?' " He says each member of the team is very action oriented.

What they did was (1) agree that there's power in numbers, and that while none of the three counties pulls much weight alone, putting together a population of 50,000 with a high number of available workers needing jobs, would get attention, (2) find like-minded individuals to represent each of the three counties, (3) listen to advice from experts in locations which have successfully recruited plants, (4) form a private, nonprofit entity, "Green River Tri-County Economic Development Foundation", (5) take an option on land centrally located to the available workforce, (6) hold press conferences to let people know what's happening, and (7) begin accumulating funds.

"The Toyota site in Georgetown looked no different before they started building than this site in Coburg," Walker added, "We feel we need to do the work we're doing in order to be ready for a blessing."

The group is getting tremendous response from the statewide publicity they've gotten. In initial announcements, Robert Flowers said, "This organization is in no way intended to take away from the duties and responsibilities of any other local governmental, industrial or civic organization." The group says it has made every effort to stay away from political agendas, but it does want to work with all leaders. Both Mayor Curtis Hardwick and Judge Executive Jerry Vaughan pledge support.

Other board members include: Leroy Bratcher, Ron Wise and Russell Montgomery from Taylor County; William C. Patterson and James E. Perkins from Green County. George "Lisle" Cheatham was selected President and Robert Flowers, Secretary.