If there is one area that prosperity relative to other areas in North Carolina is a disadvantage, it in the world of economic development.

Earlier this month, Haywood County moved from the middle tier when it came to the incentives available to new or expanding industries to the most prosperous tier. It’s a move that Mark Clasby, the county’s economic development director, viewed with mixed feelings.

“It’s great that we’re doing better than the rest of the state, but we won’t be getting big projects.”

In Haywood County, a “big” project was one like the expansion of Sonoco in Waynesville where the company is set to receive $315,000 in tax incentives for its expansion that will create 35 new jobs.

In this case, the economic incentives that could be offered were significant in landing the ...