A proposal for the city to annex the new 400-acre industrialpark represents good planning and foresight by the mayor and boardof aldermen.

Pursuing the annexation now will avoid a legal challenge becausethere would be no businesses or industries to contest the matter incourt.

In the future, any industries looking to locate in the park canbe assured they will be inside the city limits with available waterand sewer services, as well as police and fire protection. Knowingon the front end they would be part of the city, industries alsowould not be subject to higher taxes from being annexedunexpectedly.

Also with the annexation, the city will be in a good position tobenefit from sales tax collections should any new retaildevelopments open up in or around the industrial park. With HomeDepot’s opening later this week, there has been talk a retailcorridor developing between the current city limits in that areaand the new park.

City, county and chamber officials have secured three sectionsof land for the park and are expected to close on the two remaininglarger tracts in a couple of weeks. The goal then will be to securefunding to provide infrastructure to the park area.

Mayor Bob Massengill said last week the new industrial parkannexation could be done “in short order” at a negligible cost.

Once all the property is obtained, city officials should movequickly to annex the new park. It’s a short-term decision that canproduce many long-range benefits for the city.