The N&R editorializes on the restructuring of the Piedmont Triad Partnership:

Traditionally, the Partnership, headed for the last 10 years by CEO and President Don Kirkman, has had the right idea to promote the region as a whole rather than individual communities. But Triad cities continued to focus inwardly for economic development and have never fully bought into the Partnership’s gospel of collaboration across traditional boundaries.

As one clear signal that it’s a new day, the Partnership’s new chairman, Kelly King, CEO of the Winston-Salem-based bank, BB&T, rallied business leaders to raise more than $1.5 million for the Partnership in 2009 — most of it in only 90 days. “That is certainly something that I never could have done,” says Kirkman, who says he not only accepts the sweeping changes in the organization, but his likely future role there, as something other than CEO.

It’s hard to imagine how Triad cities will be able to ‘buy into’ the regionalism concept, considering the fact that they’re more than likely facing budget crisis that will force them —-hopefully —- to reign in expenses.