MARION - Cooperation is the key word being stressed during a changing of the guard at Regional Economic Development Corp.

Robert Campbell is retiring after a six-year stint as director. Effective Jan. 1, longtime area businessman Jerry Crouse will become the nonprofit corporation's third director since its formation nearly 10 years ago.

Campbell is currently showing Crouse the day-to-day operations of the office. Crouse worked many years with local radio stations in the area and also worked in managerial capacities at an area savings and loan institution and Pepsi Cola, where he directed sales. He's been meeting with various boards and advisory partners while studying the area's demographics.

"Our primary focus is Williamson County," Crouse said, noting REDCO encompasses economic development within the whole region, however. "The businesses I've talked to refer to our region as a disbursed metropolitan area."

Since REDCO encompasses several towns, locations and institutions, the key word "cooperation" that Campbell and Crouse use a lot in their conversation is pivotal.

"I'm a buff on cooperation. I want to make sure six years of effort doesn't get lost," Campbell said.

REDCO's origins began in 1990 when members of the Economic Development Committee of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce began talking about forming a separate organization for industrial development. After several meetings and discussions between Marion and Williamson County officials, a plan for REDCO was confirmed and approved by the Illinois Secretary of State's office in March 1999. Eventually the group purchased 289 acres of land off Illinois 13 in west Marion that became the REDCO Industrial Park.

"Manufacturing was our focus. Our primary purpose is the provision of job opportunities for the people of Southern Illinois," Campbell said.

The biggest plum the group has landed since its formation is Aisin Manufacturing Illinois that broke ground in 2001 for a 300,000 square-foot plant that employs 700 people. Aisin has since expanded within the industrial park, adding two more plants and expanding the total workforce to nearly 1,000 people.

And REDCO has added other entities to join the cooperative spirit of luring industry here such as various economic development organizations, the City of Herrin and Williamson County Airport Au-thority.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

618-351-5076