“Our top economic priority has got to be a bank,” McCarty said. “A bank makes you a commercial hub.”

Liveoak also said a town bank is “top priority.”

“The bank building is not only a historic building that needs to be preserved, but it is bank ready,” she said. “It took time to close the bank, and it’s going to take time to open the bank.”

McCarty said the town is spending a monthly upkeep fee on the empty bank building.

“I hope we can do something with it, but so far, that’s been a bust,” McCarty said. “The building is not what bankers generally want because they want a drive through. The odds are stacked against us.”

When asked about the relationship of local government and businesses, Liveoak said she always promotes and supports local businesses.

“The way to do that is to trade at home,” Liveoak said. “We need to keep our tax dollars at home so we can all have garbage pickup and lights on our streets. I live here, and I’ve lived here all my life. I love Wilsonville, and I support it.”

McCarty said he made the choice to move to Wilsonville.

“I want this place financially sound,” he said. “We need to pay for what we need to pay for and be ready for that rainy day when it comes. We’ve got to be sure to do everything we can to be financially capable.”