The Coweta County Commission took a bold step towards economic development Tuesday night as it voiced support for a massive restructuring of the county's economic agencies.

Commissioner Jim McGuffey surprised many of the audience when he said it was time for the county to get serious about luring industrial prospects to the county.

"We're going to lose our tax base if we don't do something better," McGuffey said.

The commissioner advocates putting the county's economic agency, 21st Century Coweta, under the auspices of the county's development authority. Currently, 21st Century is a joint project between the public and private sectors and McGuffey said it will remain that way. He would like to see the development authority become more involved with the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce. If people wanted to keep donating to 21st Century, they could still do it through the chamber, he added.

McGuffey said he would be quite happy keeping the same staff at the development authority and 21st Century Coweta, but the county really started needed to get proactive in bringing industrial prospects into the county.

The other commissioners agreed with the concept of McGuffey's plan, but said they would like to hear from the other groups involved before making an "irrevocable decision."

In addition to the restructuring, McGuffey advocates the county providing the resources, including funding and housing, for the new super agency. When asked by Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter if this meant the county was getting into the marketing business, McGuffey said yes.

"I support your concept," Hunter said.