Land, job and the East

Rob Christensen's March 19 column about the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research's report on Eastern North Carolina was a good reminder that much work needs to be done so others can share in the economic growth forecast for our state.

While the challenges are great, the efforts have not stopped in the East. If anything, they have accelerated in recent years. Education is certainly the key. More jobs, better health care and improved roads and highways will make real differences.

Also contributing might be Kinston's initiative to revitalize the Neuse River waterfront, improvements in downtown Rocky Mount, or here in Murfreesboro -- launching boat tours of historic towns and sites.

Many ideas for economic revitalization revolve around water, land and historical resources. The Land for Tomorrow plan will protect water quality in our great rivers and sounds, forests, farmlands and historic sites and also create a specific program, called Landing Jobs, that would provide grants and loans to communities like Murfreesboro to help us take advantage of our incredible natural and historic resources to create jobs.

Those outside our region can help by supporting the Land for Tomorrow proposal {www.landfortomorrow.org). It will benefit your own region too.

Norman Buskill

Murfreesboro Historical Association

Murfreesboro