By Woodie Belk Long Lewis Ford

The Fourth Quarter It's late in the game on a fall evening in The Shoals and the home team is driving for a game willing score. A trip to the end zone would seal the deal on a willing season. All the preparation and hard work is about to pay off. No, this isn't an article from Sports Illustrated, but it favors one. The "home team" is the area economy. The spectators are the consumers and recession and inflation are the adversaries. The game plan is similar to our economic planning - put the best people in position, give them leadership and sustain momentum. Our area produced a winner this season with all star performers in all positions. Rookies have been drafted in the form of new businesses, with free agents portrayed by spin-off companies from other areas. The veterans - businesses with long-term contracts in the area provided the leadership. With all these players in place, the 2000 season was a good one. And although we took our lumps along the way, we won more than we lost, victories being economic improvement over past seasons. Now, with the clock ticking down, we have the opportunity to finish strong going into the next year. Everyone knows what to do, the plan is in place, and economic momentum is on our side. So whether you are a spectator, rookie, veteran, or coach, let's come together and "put it in the end zone."

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