His point about government dollars applies elsewhere. Hinesville depends heavily on Fort Stewart, as does Macon on Robins Air Force Base. This is dicey even before you consider the possibility of another round of Pentagon base closures or force reductions. Even Athens, in the faster-growing north of the state, for years has had the University of Georgia and too little else (although the Caterpillar and, a little farther away, Baxter plants should provide a boost).

When I was in Albany last month, the buzz was about a single craft brewery that plans to open. At least it will make something: That counts for a lot when economic development there, as I was told by one person who’s a close and longtime observer of local happenings, too often is more likely to come in the form of a new chain restaurant.

The 2018 state elections will be upon us before we know it. The candidates we need for governor and other offices will understand this state needs to pull two levers at once. One to help metro Atlanta deal with growth, and another to help other areas find some.

The latter won’t be easy. Typical government “solutions” include such ideas as building conference centers or tourist attractions. Places like Albany have both. They haven’t done the trick.

We need better approaches. Health care and public education are often poor in these areas. Broadband internet access is also insufficient. Fixing these deficiencies is crucial to attracting business investment. But the private sector must also be part of the solution to these problems, as government-only answers have fallen short time and again.

I’m all ears to those, whether candidates for public office or not, who have ideas for closing that gap.