We believe: Madison County needs aggressive, countywide economic development persistence to lure jobs.

The 455 Brevini jobs should’ve come to Madison County. Fortunately, however, they’ll be close enough to benefit the county’s work force.

Brevini will make gear boxes for wind turbines and pay its employees an average salary of $46,000 a year. Those are the kinds of jobs sorely needed in the post-General Motors economy.

It’s disheartening to read that Madison County courted Brevini for 18 months, only to see the jobs go to the Delaware County side of Interstate 69 because of existing buildings. Brevini had been interested in the Flagship area at Exit 22, the fastest-growing area in Madison County. But there was no building to house the gear manufacturing.

Anderson had offered the company $3 million in incentives, but in the end, the lack of a building cost the county.

Greg Winkler, who had been Mayor Kevin Smith’s point man for economic development, was hired by Brevini to study the incentive plans of Anderson and Muncie. If Winkler hadn’t lost his Anderson job in January, would he have found a place for Brevini?

Smith said the announcement of the Brevini jobs confirmed his belief that the outside sales approach to marketing the city had worked. Brevini did come to the area Winkler studied.

At Tuesday’s state representatives forum at the Anderson City Building, Rep. Terri Austin, D-District 36, said, “I believe it’s time we had a countywide economic development plan. We can’t be the best unless we’re working with one another.”

She’s exactly right. The different cities in the county — Alexandria, Elwood, Pendleton, Anderson — cannot be competing against one another to lure businesses. There has to be a unified, and aggressive, effort to attract businesses. There has to be a group of people to go out and market the area in the way Winkler did.

Economic development activity usually flies under the radar because of the secrecy companies like to maintain. Therefore, it’s difficult to judge just how much selling is going on. One thing is certain, however: The selling needs to be persistent, consistent and proactive.

The existing building situation is more difficult unless the city and county start constructing spec buildings in the hopes of luring businesses. But can either entity afford this construction without the promise of a buyer? Probably not. There are existing buildings, such as Plants 18 and 20, which are still empty despite an ongoing dialogue and interested parties. They need filled with jobs, but it’s going to take aggressive marketing to do so.

In the end, the county can be happy that the Brevini jobs will be close by. It’s better the company came to Exit 41 than further away in the state. Still, it’s only natural to wonder what if. Anderson and its work force can’t be continually wondering how they missed another one. It’s time for a new marketing plan.