The possibility of a tax-free zone in Freeborn County is one that should have local leaders excited. Especially in a border area like ours, tax exemptions like those offered in the plan could make a difference in business development and recruitment.

Concerns over whether our area would qualify, however, have dampened some of that enthusiasm. Despite the troubles the community has weathered in the last couple of years, the county ranks in the middle of the pack in the state on most of the indicators that would be used to determine eligibility. In this strange context, our relative prosperity is a drawback, not an asset.

So the question is, should the city start preparing its case for a tax-free zone here, or would they be wasting their time?

The answer that has the most value comes from Rep. Dan Dorman, a sponsor of the bill, who says the city should get its ducks in a row now by preparing to apply for one of the zones, if the bill passes the legislature.

Dorman says the bill’s final language will allow for a city like Albert Lea to qualify; in fact, he’s said all along that our area is a perfect fit for the plan. As somebody with inside knowledge of the process and influence over the outcome, he should know.

The zones, designed to spur economic development, would not all end up in the poorest, rural areas in far northern and western Minnesota, because those areas don’t have as much potential for development. In many counties, the workforce is too small and the resources are too few.

A place like Freeborn County makes sense for a zone; the city has good potential, better proximity to the Twin Cities, two major thoroughfares and land that’s ready to develop.

There is no guarantee, of course, but the plan has enough possibilities that the city would be making a big mistake if it misses the boat.

Tribune editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper’s management and editorial staff.