Members of the Lowndes County Commission have a tough decision to make.

Next Monday, the five-member panel will vote whether or not to allow Alabama-Georgia based Alabama River Partners LLC to develop a construction and demolition landfill.

At a regular commission meeting held Monday night in Hayneville, residents appeared to be split about half and half over whether or not to allow the C&D landfill.

While many residents voiced concerns about the environment and the effect on their property values, others say the county needs the economic boost.

The landfill – part of a $25 million three-phase economic development project that will also include an inland port and a sand and gravel mining operation.

The project is proposed to provide up to 75 jobs for Lowndes County and generate a new tax base and revenue if approved, according to ARP spokeswoman Kim Davis.

If approved, the landfill – to be located in the county’s industrial district along the Alabama River and Pintlala Creek – would accept debris from six southeastern states and include C&D debris from Hurricane Katrina.

Some residents fear the landfill will result in irreversible environmental hazards.

The economic impact would no doubt give a little help to Lowndes County.

And certainly any county in the Black Belt could use even a little help.

How much of that tax money, however, would find its way into infrastructure projects that would not be necessary if the landfill were not located in Lowndes County?

Commissioners have to weigh the revenue benefits of having the landfill with the effect it will have on the quality of life for local residents.

In the end, it’s better to say no, and look for cleaner, more resident-friendly industry for the county.