Celeste Martin remembers growing up in Chatsworth and going into various stores along Main Street and Murray Plaza to shop and see the people who worked there.
“They were available and close by, the routine places my family visited,†said Martin, a schoolteacher and the newest member of the Chatsworth City Council. “The buildings are still there and the necessary maintenance has been done on them. But there’s no redesign to catch the attention of people going by. We need to improve our downtown business image … I believe there’s a lack of pride in our town.â€
Martin and many other community members have bought into the idea of prodding economic development in a county with more than 12 percent unemployment. The local economy, built like Whitfield County’s on carpet, floor covering and their ancillary industries, has struggled since midway through 2007. That fact was not lost on David Ridley, who won the sole commissioner’s seat in Murray County in 2008.
“It’s something I talked about when I was campaigning,†said Ridley. “I told people I will strive every day to try and bring economic development to Murray County.†More.