Those visions, with only slight variation, have focused on all the counties of the Evansville area acting as one, most often for the coordination of economic development, but also for improved air quality or for improved transportation.

We even have an example of how it works. Most of the counties around Gibson County have benefitted from the location of Toyota at Princeton, by providing jobs to their residents and related businesses for some.

And there have been cooperative efforts, such as seeking passage of legislation of common interest. Just last month we had the impressive Regional Economic Summit in Evansville. Years before that, Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel was championing a regional committee of area public officials. And the local Chamber of Commerce now includes multiple area counties.

Regionalism makes sense -- it always has.

And that's why we think perhaps the region should take seriously the comments of former Evansville City Councilman Steve Bagbey. It was Bagbey who started the current stadium discussion when he suggested that 52-year-old Roberts Stadium needed to be replaced. From that suggestion back in 2005, we arrived this past Tuesday at a meeting of the Roberts Stadium Advisory Board, which recommended that the city build a new arena Downtown at a cost of up to $129 million.

Consultants recommended three sources of financing: casino revenues, food and beverage taxes, and tax increment financing. Those appear to be the likely revenue sources that the city will tap as this project, as expected, takes flight.

But that combination of sources is not yet written in stone. For example, we haven't heard much lately about naming rights.

It was Bagbey who added a new twist to the discussion on Tuesday when he asked neighboring counties for their financial support for the stadium project.

"What is good for Vanderburgh County should also be good for the doughnut," he said.

Yes it should, in an ideal world, but when you ask individuals in one county to reach into their pockets to help a project centered in another county-- even if it is to their benefit -- there will be a lot of hem-hawing.

In fact, there is a lot of interest in the counties surrounding Vanderburgh about what goes on in Evansville. Look at the letters and Internet comments we get from people who do not live in the city or county about developments here.

That's no surprise. A lot of people in those counties identify with Evansville. They work here. They shop here. They are entertained here. They attend events at Roberts Stadium and other venues, such as Casino Aztar. And in all fairness, they spend money here. They buy tickets to stadium events. They eat at our restaurants. In those ways they would contribute to a new arena, as well. Of course, if Evansville builds this new arena, the quality of life of all who enjoy events there would be enhanced. This issue is a two-way street, even when it crosses county lines.

We would note that in the construction of the new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, taxpayers in Central Indiana counties were included in the funding plan.

Regionalism is a great concept, but in real terms, a hard sell.

Even so, perhaps there would be a way for counties outside of Vanderburgh to contribute to the arena; it is worth some thought.