Scraping the Barrel Bottom for Investors?

First, how does one attract investors to a major project? If the economy is right, can't someone like John Elkington merely crook his little finger, as in sending out a prospectus? That didn't seem to work at the Forge or Saddle Creek. 

Now we understand Elkington is bringing investors here...or plans to. That's good, but doesn't this mean these investors are the more choosy kind, the kind who won't simply take Elkington's word that the project will succeed?

Years ago, we heard of a young bride whose husband picked her up at the Muscle Shoals airport, then promptly became lost. As they drove down Second Street, she began to cry. Was this the beautiful Shoals she had been told about?

Then more recently there was the review of that aluminum giant adjacent to Park Place. The writer laughingly told of his family screaming for him to turn around, telling him he had to be lost. There was nothing worthwhile to be found in the immediate area. 

If you were an investor, one known for shrewd but cautious decisions, how would you react? And how will several Sheffield property owners react to being told after all these years that their eyesores are now a major liability? Will they hasten to Sherwin-Williams to buy their redecorating materials or will they drag their feet in court until Elkington says "Enough!"?

From J. Redmon:

Sheffield's prosecutor and municipal judge are wanting more frequent courts. Currently, Sheffield's municipal court clerk is working FULL-TIME for Muscle Shoals as Court Clerk and Magistrate WHILE continuing to work FULL-TIME for Sheffield. Does anyone see a problem IF Sheffield increases the number of times it holds court each month?