Stakes high in race to build horse park in Jackson

By Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday June 23, 2009, 8:57 AM

It appears more and more likely that equestrian enthusiasts in Jackson will have only a short drive to a world-class horse farm within a few years.

Folks who are not horse lovers should be interested for another reason: This could mean increased tourism and more local jobs.

Groups in Springport and Albion, plus the economic-development agency The Enterprise Group, all submitted proposals by June 1 to build a multimillion-dollar park in the region. The winner will be chosen from these by the Michigan Equine Partnership, the group that has explored this park idea. No one aside from these three applied.

If boosters are right, the park could create as many as 100 jobs. Even if the number is half as much, it would be a boost to a local economy that certainly needs one. And there is little doubt this facility would draw people to the area from several states away.

In hindsight, it would have made more sense for these three local groups to work together on one or two proposals. Still, the hope now is that the Equine Partnership at least finds one of these to be strong enough to receive its backing.

Our best wishes to these applicants. If any one of them can bring their horse across the finish line, we all will have reason to cheer.