And for about that long, I don't remember for sure, there has been a spec building sitting there for sale. I don't have any idea how many economic development directors may have come and gone in that time period, but I suspect that empty building has outlasted at least one, if not more.
About thirty years ago, an economic development director in Georgia tried to interest me in a spec building their community had built. I could make it work except for one thing--they wanted a five-year lease. The major corporation I worked for at the time was not about to commit to five years on what was for them a new, untested venture. I found a building in the next town that I could get with a one-year lease.
That economic development director tried to explain spec buildings with the "birdhouse concept"--in other words, if you want to attract birds you have to build them a house.
I suspect that works better for birds than it does for industries. I further suspect that more than one economic development director has been forced to move on after erecting a spec building.
This leaves you with a predicament. How to attract industry? I think friendly working conditions, and by that I mean regulations, taxes, and so forth, are your best bet. Be ready to build an edifice, but wait until you have a fish on the hook, to mix metaphors.
Meanwhile, I'll keep monitoring that building at Ceres.
