The spin cycle continues at the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority as we’re facing another vacancy at the top EDA position.

Before we write a new help wanted ad, some serious dialogue is in order.

City and county leaders need to meet publicly and discuss the EDA’s future.

That discussion should include a frank look at what the community’s goals and expectations are for an EDA leader and what each group involved will do — or not do — to help and support that leader and his mission.

We’re convinced that our community needs a strong EDA. But at the moment, we don’t have that. We have an agency that’s saddled with too many political hands and too much “we’ve always done it that way.”

We fear that the vacancy will be a moment some politicians will seize as a way to “save” money by eliminating the EDA outright. That would be a mistake in our estimation.

The EDA’s role should be thought of as an investment in the community, not merely an expense. But that starts with defining what the goals are.

Is a successful EDA only one that lands a big fish?

Or would a successful EDA be one that develops an environment for attracting small- to medium-size businesses while helping the businesses we have grow stronger?

We strongly urge such discussions take place to define the direction we’re heading and why we’ve struggled navigating there in the past.

If the problem winds up being the good ole boy system is fouling up the works, let’s get rid of it and get down to business.

Our future is too important to be placed on the next warm body that walks through the revolving door and repeats the cycles of the past.