ANDERSON — The three incoming mayors in Madison County’s largest communities are planning to begin discussions to work as a team to attract economic development investments to the county.
At the start of the new year, Democrats will hold top offices in Anderson, Elwood and Alexandria. Four years ago it was Republicans in those positions.
Thomas Broderick Jr. defeated incumbent Kevin Smith in Anderson, Ron Richardson unseated Jack Woods in Alexandria and Todd Jones won in Elwood, beating Don Tucker, who was serving out the term of Ron Arnold.
Broderick, Jones and Richardson expressed the belief that what’s good for one community is beneficial to all of Madison County in terms of job growth.
“It’s a great idea to talk with the other mayors,” Broderick said. “We should be taking a regional viewpoint that would have a positive effect for the cities and the county.”
Broderick said Anderson has some advantages for economic development because of its location, but he is supportive of a regional approach.
“A regional approach will provide opportunities for all the communities,” he said.
Jones and Richardson had discussed Elwood and Alexandria working together before last Tuesday’s election.
“We talked about working together, regardless of politics,” Richardson said. “We should all work together. There is a regional organization in which several counties are working together for economic development.
“It would be beneficial for all the mayors, council members and economic development people to sit down and discuss a regional plan,” he said.
Richardson said during his eight years as Madison County Sheriff he saw the advantages of networking between the local police and fire departments.
“All three cities working together would be a huge advantage,” he said. “If a company is looking to locate in the county and it’s a better fit for Elwood, we should all support that effort. Any company locating in Madison County will employ people from throughout the county.”
Jones said though he and Richardson spoke of "building a partnership," any further discussion should also include Broderick.
“Anytime we can work together it will benefit all county communities,” he said. “We all should promote any business in Madison County.”
Jones said Elwood is looking to form partnerships with other communities along the Ind. 28 corridor which includes Tipton to the west and to the Interstate 69 interchange to the east.
“I believe all the communities are willing to work together,” he said.
Madison County along with Delaware, Grant, Henry, Blackford, Rush, Wayne, Fayette, Jay and Randolph counties are part of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.