The community of Clinton is at a pivotal moment, requiring innovative solutions. Traditional, top-down economic development strategies are not addressing Clinton's unique economic infrastructure needs.

Imagine Clinton as a grand old ship, once sailing strong but now washed up on shore, stuck in the sand. For years, community leaders have called upon citizens to climb down and push, hoping that with enough hands, they could force it back to the water. But despite their diligence and determination, the ship remains firmly lodged—it’s simply too much to move by sheer force alone.

What this ship needs isn’t more hands, but a new current—a fresh stream of water carved through the beach, flowing toward the ship, lifting it from beneath and setting it free. This new stream represents innovative economic development tactics, a strategic approach that creates the right conditions for movement rather than relying solely on effort.

Once the ship is back in open waters, the proven, conventional methods that once propelled it forward can resume. But first, we must dig the stream—we must embrace new strategies, creative solutions, and forward-thinking initiatives that will bring Clinton back to life and set it sailing once again.

We propose reallocating the existing $130,000 budgeted economic development position into two part-time roles allowing broader reach and taking undo weight off the Chamber of Commerce. This ground-up approach will be agile, adapting over the years as growth accelerates, eventually transitioning back to a conventional economic development strategy if needed. The 2 positions would cover the ground of a ground-up Economic Developer, Tourism Director, Main Street Program Coordinator, Grant Researcher and Writer, Urban Planner, and Marketing/Branding Administration.

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This new staff could function in the format as hired contract labor or conventional part time employees. The staff could help as liaison between the municipal leadership and the many independent agencies that currently operate in the community, bringing unity of all Clinton agencies whether formal municipal leadership, non-profit organizations, or the Chamber of Commerce.