Indiana and Ohio are in hot competition to get a new Toyota plant. Fort Wayne Observed asks an interesting question: If the choice comes down to southeastern Indiana and Van Wert, Ohio, shouldn't those of us in this part of the state really be rooting for Ohio to win? The answer is certainly yes.
In the developing global economy, we are competing not against other cities and counties but against whole regions. Whatever you think of officially consolidated government, area public and private interests must begin to realize the value of cooperating on economic development; that's been one of the hot local stories of the last few years. State lines are just as arbitrary as county ones. We have much more in common with nearby Ohio than we do with southern Indiana.
But that idea will be a hard sell. It's tough to get even those in northeastern Indiana to get behind the need for regional development. Too often, those in smaller communities and counties think it's just an excuse for Fort Wayne to throw its weight around. Also too often, frankly, Fort Wayne officials don't exactly go out of their way to dispel that impression.
