Uniting the county is becoming a prominent goal for community leaders as they implement a plan to stimulate economic development.

While encouraging businesses to come to the county is not a new endeavor, the methods some elected officials are taking have a new ring.

The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors, Poplarville and Picayune area chambers of commerce, Picayune and Poplarville city officials and other industry leaders have been discussing the formation of a new, county-led economic development organization.

While creating the organization will ideally stimulate the local economy through private companies, it will still be closely monitored by local government.

Establishing an outside organization will allow it to sometimes do what county or city governments cannot.

During discussions this week, the group expressed intent to push for a more unified Pearl River County; not one made up of separate, smaller communities, but one that works together for the betterment of all.

While there has long been a division between the northern and southern parts of the county, joining together seems to be the best way to improve.

Reducing litter, crime, poverty and other ailments are not easily achieved alone; one city cannot carry the whole county.

The people of Picayune, Poplarville and those in between need to come together and work with one another in order to make Pearl River County an even more prosperous area in which to live.

While this newspaper is named the Picayune Item, we are here to give a voice to all the people of Pearl River County, and we look forward to continuing coverage of these development efforts.