By Tim Gibbs, President Ashland Alliance    

 In each issue of Bridges, I have been proud to submit some words of insight on what is going on in the regional economy and why we are seeing the rebirth of this area. The focus of this piece is that we are truly one region together. Or, if you’re on the Kentucky side, you have grown up with the state motto “United We Stand Divided We Fall.” It is truer today than when it was penned in 1792.
    We share a common history, people and economy in the region. I have great respect for my counterparts in Ohio and West Virginia. Lawrence Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Dr. Bill Dingus and David Lieving, president and CEO of Huntington Area Development Council, have given time and effort to help me, a kid from Eastern Kentucky, learn his way and work together for all.
    We share so much yet at times it seems we have to compete for everything. Growth and jobs in the area don't just benefit one side of the river. Opportunities to keep families together and to have the chance to live a good life are the goals of economic development professionals on both sides of our river. There is no doubt we must compete. But, in reality, it is more about competing with others than among ourselves.
    There are over 2,000 economic development organizations in the United States and more than 8,000 Chamber of Commerce organizations. Each day we compete to position ourselves for the opportunity and growth that are out there. It is better to do it collectively than apart.
    I have shared how we are working to build a new economy based on the fabric of our past, how our competitive advantages can position us for growth in our existing industries as well as recruiting new companies to the Tri-State. This continues every day. We have found that we need every single piece aligned and working together for us to have the needed advantages in the highly selective field of economic development.
    Think about how hard it is at times to align all the pieces on the table. We have workforce-training providers, but there are at least three different sources of funding and each one has its own network of services and rules and regulations. It all works but there is a price for systems that have evolved over the decades. If we had a blank sheet of paper nothing would look like it does today. One key point here: We have great people and partners to bring to the table and work with. It is just paramount that we do a better job together than anyone else out there.
    This is what the Alliance and our partners do. We give up a bit to gain the collective strength needed. We use the baton to try to show the way, not to direct but to lead in an open and collaborative way. When everyone is playing off the same page, we can make wonderful music together.
    We have before us a path forward for a brighter future. Tri-State gains benefit all of us and make for a growing economy for existing businesses and lead to opportunity for new companies to find a home here. I am honored to be a small part of the rebirth of this region. For more than 102 years, the Ashland Alliance has been a part of this community. Our work is not done and your input, passion, and commitment are needed more today than in the past. We will look back at these days and see the flag was planted and hope was found.