I remember attending regular meetings of the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors in 2016 and hearing citizens talk about the county’s desperate need for businesses and jobs. Some of them suggested things the county could do. Some were proactively and independently exploring the possibility of the county getting a grocery store.

It is so easy to complain about problems, but it is a harder thing to try to actively find solutions, and those Cumberland citizens should be commended for embarking on that search.

I think it is also important to recognize that the county has not been idle in the search either.

The board voted July 11 to allocate $5,000 to hire a consultant who would survey the county’s economic development potential.

It is clear the county is taking steps to address an area of need.

County Administrator and County Attorney Vivian Seay Giles said the Retail Strategies consultant would collect and compile marketing retail and demographic data for Cumberland that “would be critical to our economic development efforts.”

In addition to this, a conceptual land use map was recently created for property surrounding the Cobbs Creek Reservoir, and it shows plans for a potential village district where commercial properties could be developed.

With the county and its citizenry functioning as partners in the search for solutions, I believe they form an unbeatable team, united in making sure the compass is pointing true north.

Titus Mohler is sports editor of The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. His email address is Titus.Mohler@FarmvilleHerald.com.FarmvilleHerald.com.