Encouraging growth in any county or town is a complicated, multi-faceted effort that tests government’s ability to bring together the public and the private sector.

Economic development, as Wendell Commissioner Sid Baynes has pointed out, is more than just bringing in a few large industries.

But as consultant Allison Platt has told commissioners in that town, economic development really begins with a strong focus on downtown.

That’s a lesson leaders in all three eastern Wake County towns should listen to.

In Knightdale, downtown, or Old Town as it’s called, is so far separated from what most people consider Knightdale proper that it is no longer a destination for many people.

Town leaders are pursuing an effort to improve the downtown by replacing sidewalks and making downtown more accessible by foot.

That’s still a difficult part of town to reach. Efforts to establish a local bus route may help bring people downtown, but it’s more likely to take people from the downtown area to other retail centers along Knightdale Boulevard.

Commissioners there also have what is called an Old Town plan. The town should make continued improvements in the area a top budget priority.

And in Zebulon, the facelift of a few years ago has had relatively little impact on the fortunes of downtown.

Businesses have left the traditional downtown for locations further north along Arendell Avenue, led by none other than the town itself, which has put several buildings in the downtown area up for sale.

Zebulon commissioners should revisit their latest investment in downtown and decide what steps to take next.

Incentives encouraging property owners to improve their properties would go a long way toward improving the appearance of downtown Zebulon. The resulting increase in value of the downtown properties will make that area a more sought-after location to open a business.

And, in Wendell, where economic development is at the top of everyone’s mind these days, the opportunities for improvement are plentiful.

Commissioners last week approved a plan to rebuild sidewalks along one stretch of the downtown, a move that met with the approval of property owners in downtown Wendell.

Commissioner Bill Connolly has proposed a measure to the League of Municipalities which, if made into law by the General Assembly, would offer property owners even greater incentive to improve the physical condition of their buildings.

But the town must also be willing to offer incentives designed to encourage investment by the private sector.

That money is often easier for private interests to obtain and it generally comes with fewer strings attached.

That means it could have a greater impact more quickly than state incentives designed to accomplish many of the same goals. Once downtowns become a desirable destination, property owners in other parts of Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon will see their fortunes turn as spillover generates new opportunities elsewhere.

Revitalization efforts in other towns have proven successful, but leaders in those towns — Wake Forest is one local example — will point out that the best plans require a kickstart from the local government.

Once that commitment is in place, private investment follows.

It’s a tried and true formula and one leaders in this area should embrace.

— Johnny Whitfield