Fayette County faces an uncertain economic future because it is "extremely dependent on other counties for its economic quality of life," an economic expert says.

William Fruth of POLICOM Corp. told about 100 business and industrial leaders Tuesday that about 73 percent of Fayette's "earned income" is generated outside the county, by the 60 percent of Fayette workers who travel to jobs in other counties.

The average salary for Fayette County jobs is $22,885, he said, while the Atlanta metro average is about $33,000. But for those who leave Fayette to work, he added, the average is $41,000. Low-wage jobs, no matter how many of them, cannot contribute to the health of Fayette's economy, Fruth noted, because there is not enough "level of distress in the economy" that just any kind of jobs will help strengthen it.

Fayette's best hope for a solid economic future, Fruth noted, is to begin an "existing industries" support program to help retain companies who are already here, followed by a "recruitment" program for industries which contribute the most economic good.

Those industries include manufacturing of high-value, high-bulk products (such as autos and airplanes); high-value product manufacturing; transportation of products; research facilities; wholesale distribution; federal government agencies, and corporate headquarters but not if the corporate offices employ mostly lower-wage clerical workers, Fruth said.

He added that the number-one reason why companies leave an area is the "attitude of the local community." That attitude can be reflected in increasing taxes and regulations, community protests or other actions, he said. Companies elect not to come to a community, he said, for the same reason, plus "an area costs too much or takes too long." He cited two examples: a Florida company faced with $700,000 in annual traffic impact fees, and a California company who waited 24 months for a building permit.

Education about what makes a healthy economy is vital for local government entities, and for the public in general, Fruth said.

"Most places don't want more population until they don't have it," he said. Population can and will be lost when a local economy declines, he added.

Fayette's economy has plenty of "retail and service" money-providers, he said, but that is to be expected because "retail follows the people and you can't stop it."

He added, "You want those employment centers, those actual structures, in your county. You want more people commuting in to work, than out."