Most reactions to the announcement that AARP and Blue Zones have selected Albert Lea for a health makeover have been welcoming and open-minded, but a few people have scoffed at their advice.

For one, all the input from Blue Zones, AARP and Walkable Communities is free. Many communities pay big bucks to get this insight.

Secondly, to learn and to improve, people need to be open-minded and listen to new ways of thinking.

Thirdly, this is Albert Lea’s shot at getting ahead of neighboring communities for the 21st century economy and living demands. The world has changed. We compete globally. We compete for talent, people who could easily go to places that have quality-of-life amenities and healthy factors that we might overlook.

This makeover is the boost we need to have an edge.