The following is the 4th Fox and Hound Article from
the Foothills Digest. It is the third article in which I collaborated
with Gabriel Sherwood. The topic is about understanding our community's position in the marketplace. The marketplace is a 3D multilevel Chess Board. It is tangible and intangible. It is local, National, and International in scope. It is personal and interpersonal in nature. In the context of this discussion, we develop ideas related to the details of the big picture.
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Summer is here. It’s time for hot days and nights that never really cool down. Storms will always be around the corner to hopefully cool things off. Summer is that second part of life – young adulthood. You don’t want that party to end, but you know it has to. That is what the Millennials, by and large, are experiencing right now. The Millennial generation began around 1981 and is said to have ended around 2000, so they are 18 to 37 years old. Older folks might remember back then. You will see why these people, in the Summer of their lives, are the focus of this Fox and Hound article. Our community needs some more of that Summer perspective back in its DNA…
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(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
To set our region up for future economic success, we have to have plans, a Vision, and understand our position in the marketplace. If there is no difference in what you do, offer, or produce compared to competing interests, you will not succeed. If the target audience does not understand or recognize the value of your product, then you will lose out to more competent competitors.
Simply put, our goal should be to pinpoint our unique strengths and leverage them in every way we possibly can. Focus on the basics of these strengths. Don’t assume that others understand the value. Our target audience cannot be taken for granted. Success will come from matching our product with what they demand.
If sustainable growth comes from selling your unique assets and their value, then we need to take a look at what we are offering and understand, in 2018, what people want from the community they are going to reside in.
Looking at a recent survey by the Urban Land Institute, a worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to community sustainability and growth, with regards to Americans: 1) The vast majority say they are satisfied with their community’s quality of life, 2) 42% of people (mostly older) want to live in a rural area or small town 3) Millennials are the most dissatisfied generation relating to homes, housing options, and community quality of life -- 78% say they are likely to move in the next 5 years, 4) 75% of Americans want access to fresh, healthy food.
Previously, I’ve related the many educational and cultural amenities we have in our region. Appalachian State University lies directly in our footprint, five other UNC-system schools are an hour away, and we have several other excellent community colleges and private universities within our region. We also have many other inexpensive, self-educational resources that are easily accessible to the populace. Can we improve our community education capacity? Certainly, and we should, but there are plenty of resources here for individual empowerment.
Millennials have become what the Baby Boomers have been in our society. They are now the largest populace in the labor force and the largest customer demographic in the marketplace. One in three workers, in America, are Millennials. Another recent survey from the World Economic Forum looks at what Millennials desire from business. Over 40% of young people think sense of purpose/societal impact is one of the most important criteria when considering career opportunities. They want businesses to be a force for positive change.
In our community, we have basically lost a disproportionate amount of our young people at a time when they are having the most impact on the economics of American society – and that impact will continue to grow. What does that portend for our future, if not addressed? How do we reverse the trend and embrace the Millennials?
Let’s look at some of the above to make some suggestions: 1) By and large, Millennials don’t want to live in a rural area. We must learn to adapt, embracing change and growth. 2) We must interconnect and build relationships with the major cities in our immediate vicinity. 3) Business leaders are going to have to think community, not just their personal self-interests, when it comes to business. 4) We need to find a way to get Millennials into home ownership, which leads to community buy-in. 5) Let’s facilitate the creation of a socially conscious agriculture and food network in our region to address issues of health and nutritional vulnerability.
Many people tell me nothing’s gonna change. We don’t have a choice. Survival!
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America in 2015: A ULI Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation, and Community - http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/America-in-2015.pdf
Here’s what millennials really want from business, and why – World Economic Forum – Shakir Akorede - September 12, 2017 - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/09/heres-what-millennials-really-want-from-business/
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(The Fox: Gabriel Sherwood Intro)
Each little town and city in the United States is a country unto itself in some ways. Each has unique attributes and advantages, and though some are shared, each place adds a flair all its own. As our area continues redevelopment to improve the quality of life for our citizenry, we should always look to understand and take advantage of such opportunities. We have mentioned in previous conversations our clear advantages to draw on for growth, so this could be a long conversation.
Let’s continue to encourage growth in the healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors by pursuing renovation and innovation. The cost of land and power is relatively low and we can continue lowering the latter with more investment in renewables. Marketing our available buildings at very competitive rates, aligned with modernization of the power system and the new investments already underway, will give us the advantage in recruitment and retention. We already have solar farms in the area to set us apart and that could expand given our open land and plentiful roofs. Why not plan for solar panels on every warehouse and building, and the teaching of solar installation along with other trade certifications at CVCC and local high schools?
Why not a cooperative push between public and private entities to be more energy independent, with investments intending to raise the funds necessary to lower our operating costs and raise our conveniences? The historic storm in Hickory in October left some of our neighbors without power for a week, and our business for several days. A solar panel on every roof would offer at least some juice in the morning. That efficiency and independence is valued by everyone, I think, and if we make investments together we will attract people across the board and help the businesses of multiple generations expand.
As we have discussed, the recent focus of National Geographic regarded Hickory as “the” destination for “Hipsters.” A solar powered region would be more of a draw for younger folks and industries, as well as access to diversity and a less processed lifestyle. We are well within driving distance of Charlotte, Boone, and Asheville. Our region already has hundreds of hiking trails and multiple lakes and that doesn’t hurt either. We have access to all the shopping one could need, cultural centers in our cities, and even chickens in the backyard too. That appeals to people, as do farmers markets and restaurants that serve more natural selections from local and organic farms.
Let’s embrace the attention and continue to move towards more of a community concept in our food supplies, including gardens at every school, so future generations will have the skills needed to be more healthy and independent. These things will be noticed, especially if we advertise them to folks from many walks of life who value local products and progress.
Our local economy has recovered slowly from the losses in many industries, and we are dealing with an acute opioid epidemic here. Let’s turn that unique challenge into an advantage as we heal our area with more health professionals and alter our legal outlook on the issue. Let’s focus on mental health, investment, and access to opportunity. This will help tremendously and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Escapism is a natural reaction to feelings of helplessness that come from economic collapse, poverty, and disconnection from normality. We can do something about that with investment in each other and shared opportunities. Though manufacturing jobs began to rise again during the last administration, and continue, there are still many who don’t feel that access.
What do you think?
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Thom question to Gabriel
Gabriel, I can relate to what you are saying in your commentary. As a middle aged Conservative, I have faced the evolution and flux in our economy over this past generation through my working career. Much of what I envisioned as a youngster simply vanished and I have had to adjust accordingly. They say, “Pain makes you stronger, Fear makes you braver, and Heartbreak makes you wiser.”
I like what you say about the Drug addiction in our community. It isn’t just an “Opioid Crisis” as some would like to simplify it as. It is about “Escapism.” Once again, we see the disconnect. We have many, who consider themselves Conservative, who look to solutions through fear, intolerance, and punishment and think that is going to solve this issue in short order. What are we going to do arrest everyone? Has that ever worked? Remember Prohibition?
It seems to me that you are talking about long term solutions and that is what I enjoy gaining perspective on. I like to think of myself as a person that doesn’t automatically dismiss things. You know I’m not here for debate as much as conversation. This isn’t a point-counterpoint discussion, to me, so please feel free to continue your thoughts about what you think we need to see for a successful evolution towards the future of our community…
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Gabriel response to Thom
We can certainly improve our educational capacity, as CVCC and Lenoir Rhyne are proving with their growth. I recently had a conversation with administrators from CVCC and they were very excited about the K-64 program. It offers opportunities for buy-in to our community for those who may not go off to university, but also don’t have the access they need here. These students in High School and College will have the opportunity to train for a trade, manufacturing, or service career, while also building a relationship with a local business in the industry, like a traditional apprenticeship. This will create a well-educated labor pool, with the skills needed for a modern economy.
Business and the market are a force for positive change, if we don’t allow fiduciary responsibility to kill a person because she got some acne, as happened to a woman with breast cancer who was denied coverage before good intentioned government enforced requirements for coverage. Good government promotes the general welfare and should defend an honorable level of existence for all citizens of our nation. We can do better in those regards, in the eyes of those millennials as well.
According to census estimates, as recently as July of 2017, Catawba County’s population was around 155k, and 22.6% are under 18, while the county has an estimated 15.9% poverty rate. That’s 35,000+ young people we can plan for soon, and that’s estimated to be over 5,500 children in poverty in our one county. These midrange jobs, and access to them as we both agree on, are vital to our movement out of our youth retention slump and the health of our nation in many ways.
Touching the subject of healthcare. If the young leaving is not addressed, we become a retirement community whose young are in the service industry or the manufacturing sector or in medical taking care of the older folks. Let’s also push hard to recruit young medical professionals and utilize CVCC’s teaching hospital and maximize our extensive medical infrastructure. Investment in our local public schools and institutions of higher learning are vital for educating those who will stay -- and we have unique opportunities for study to expand soon.
If we can get trade school education offered, we will see an influx of people come here to prepare for understaffed industries. Plumbing, Manufacturing, Medical, and soon Construction will be taught locally with a pathway from high schools. Education opens doors…even when it’s education in hanging doors.
Catawba County Census - https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/catawbacountynorthcarolina/PST045217
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Thom’s response to Gabriel
Yes Gabriel, each region of the U.S. has its own unique characteristics. There is a Russian Political Science Professor Igor Panarin who says that the U.S. will eventually Balkanize into separate regions because of our differences. A similar scenario is delved into in the trilogy of books “The Hunger Games”. Such dystopic visions are rooted in historical evidence. When differences aren’t properly managed and people aren’t accepting of realities, then troubles are sure to follow.
I’m on board with your summation about the drug crisis in our community. This is not a law enforcement issue. This is a health issue and should be treated as such. As I have gotten older, I’ve been a caregiver for my Grandmothers and now I have to assist my mother sometimes. I have taken them to the doctors. I have seen the people who attend Physical Therapy, Rehab, and pain clinics. This is a subject I haven’t seen politicians address.
There is an obesity epidemic in our community. So many people are in bad shape and seeking relief. It’s a lot easier to pop a pill or get a shot than to lose weight. People compound the issue by not moving and not eating properly. If you are in bad shape when you are younger, chances are it won’t get better as you age. The elderly and their prescription pill cocktails are a real problem in the community. The “Cops Episode” Trailer Park busts are nothing compared to the sad reality of what our older folks are experiencing… and honestly I don’t even think that most of them realize it.
I find it interesting that our opening statements both addressed an interest in food issues. It’s all related. We have “Food Deserts” in our community where people don’t have access to wholesome, nutritional foods. I like the idea of gardens at the local schools. Maybe students could participate a few days a year preparing food in the school cafeteria. We certainly need to teach kids about food preparation, nutrition, and health at a young age and get them on the right track headed into adulthood.
I’m also onboard on the alternative energy issue. I think we certainly need to build a bridge to energy independence as we evolve to modern realities. Conservative politicians have been much too dismissive of energy issues out of political convenience. Conservation (Conserve) is supposed to be part of Conservatism. The goal should be to make our lives better. Doing nothing does nothing.
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Thursday, September 26, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Foothills Digest - Fox & Hound Article - Spring 2018
This is the 3rd Fox and Hound Article from the Foothills Digest. It is the second article in which I collaborated with Gabriel Sherwood. The topic is about Developing a "Vision" for our community. Creating a Vision is essentially the initial process in developing the objectives of an Economic Development plan.
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In Spring, hope springs eternal. There is a fresh optimism that the new growth around us will lead to abundance and prosperity. It seems we see a disconnect all around us, when we have so much to offer one another. Older people have wisdom that younger people need as they follow in the footsteps down life’s path. The younger folks bring the freshness and energy needed to continue building upon the structure of society. The goal of mankind should be to make this place better. We all have to work together to make that happen. We need to appreciate one another. We need to understand one another. We need to connect.
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
My goal in discussing this Fox and Hound material is dedicated to a thread associated with Economic Growth. The initial discussion related to my thoughts about our area’s need for a comprehensive Economic Development plan. I talked about a plan defined by transparency, accountability, and establishing benchmarks that helps build trust with the citizens.
The next discussion, I addressed “Vision” for our area, trying to relate that we need to change how we view communities in the big picture. Our region, rural in nature, will succeed better by relating ourselves not as Smalltown Americana, but as several small to mid-sized communities interconnected through similar, mutual interests having a population of over a half a million people.
Now, I want to talk about aligning with the marketplace. In my opinion, there is somewhat of a disconnect between what currently defines the communities of our region and where communities with robust economic circumstances stand.
What constitutes the modern marketplace? 1) The Marketplace is the everyday world of trade and/or economic activity. 2) The Marketplace is where intangible values compete for acceptance; as in the marketplace of ideas. 3) The Marketplace is the interpreter of supply and demand equilibrium.
Marketplaces are constantly changing. The Modern Marketplace isn’t the formal infrastructure where people gather for trade, as it could be interpreted in days gone by. In fact the internet has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that concrete, mortar, and steel aren’t necessary. In the Modern Marketplace, you still must have human engagement, at some level, to have a market.
Whether it is an individual, company, or community, an economic participant cannot grow effectively and efficiently, if it isn’t fully connected and engaged with the marketplace. You must constantly engage your customers to understand their needs (demand). If those who you are looking to attract don’t perceive value in your product, then you will lose them to competent competitors.
Growth comes from customer demand. Demand is understood by discovering a customer’s unmet needs. Current purchases don’t necessarily reflect future opportunity. Recognizing your current position in the marketplace requires you to understand the frustrations, attitudes, and unmet needs in the market. Proactively, you must develop your organization, products, and priorities keying on customer engagement to meet customer needs and resolve frustrations.
As an example, I have been to various community meetings and events where public officials painted the rosiest of rosy scenarios about where their community stands economically, socially, and culturally; in other words, the community’s position in the marketplace. I get it, this comes part in parcel with leadership, status, and how one justifies their authority, but it does not necessarily correlate to economic reality. It does not necessarily correlate to economic success. Remember what I told you in my “Vision” article, “Economic growth correlates to quality of life.”
There is a disconnect between area leadership and their understanding of the younger generations in the community. Community leadership is mostly of the Baby Boom generation. We are told about all of the community activities we have to offer and I can’t disagree. We are also told that younger people (think Millennials) say there isn’t much to do and that is why they go to Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh, etc. for excursions.
We look at the statistics and see the obvious loss (and lack of engagement) of the younger population in our community through this generation, while tellin’ everyone “nuthin’ could be fin-ah than this part of Carolina.” To me it’s obvious, if we want to attract younger folks, we’ve got to find out what they need and start addressing the problem.
(The Fox: Gabriel Sherwood Intro)
Agreed. There is a disconnect between the older population here and the younger generations, largely in conceptualization regarding the changing realities of our economy in relation to memories of a much different time. When you ask those neighbors of ours in that content age range and demographic, they are often less likely to support strong minimum wage mandates. I don’t assume folks didn’t work hard to gain their successes, I only ask the older generations to realize they may have been starting from a different spot. Not saying folks haven’t experienced hardships, but the cost of the education that fueled much of their success was substantially lower than our students face today. There is also the compensation non-college educated folks are getting now as compared to then, and that is a huge issue on this topic.
When I hear of the marketplace I think of buying power, and that leads me to consider wages. One thing that makes younger folks leave are wages and lack of opportunity for increases. I waited tables for years here, while at CVCC and making 2.13 per hour plus tips, and more than once have gone home with 20 bucks or less. Because I was a single parent, there were also nights a plenty when I paid to work. I served at one place where a chef who prepared meals for our wealthiest neighbors, while struggling with tooth pain and other issues due to no insurance, could barely support his family.
Had I not lived in Public Housing while getting an education it would not have been enough to maintain my family, and it certainly wasn’t enough to be upwardly mobile. I know at least five people that left because our service economy here didn’t pay enough to service their bills or maintain them while they tried to stay, all of them mid to late 20’s in age. If one reads the review sites and looks up Hickory we can taut a great lineup of corporate salaries with an average just above 41 thousand. Great tech and logistics companies, lots of manufacturing , and our medical industry that is quite developed for a city our size... but jobs for those younger folks don’t keep them around if they don’t pay living wages. I have multiple friends who weren’t college bound and wanted to work, and their options for hourly wages are better in the larger cities.
We do have some of the jobs to attract Hipsters, and a culture burgeoning to do so as well, and we are better for it. But, the average young person needs a market that is accessible. That’s both in a physical nature and about our lack of a strong public transportation system, and in the income disparities around us that keep some of us looking for ways out. Access is key to engagement. If we don’t give younger people jobs to pay their bills and ways to get them there without each person parking a car on the street, we aren’t offering the kind of access the average will stay for.
A strong push towards a living wage for our area would not only help those here, but show others that we are concerned not only with jobs, but that those jobs can lift our citizens access to all marketplaces. Of course, there are bills in the NC General Assembly that increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021, but HB2 a couple years ago also had the effect of freezing local minimum wage increases. A push against that law may be required, because frankly...we don’t want to wait another three or four years to start offering a living wage, and that’s assuming either bill passes the NCGA for a governor to sign.
Thom Question and Gabriel response
Gabriel, besides raising the minimum wage and social issues, economically speaking, what can we do to wake our area more attractive to the younger folks?
Well, and I have mentioned this once before, we need young tradespeople ‘round here. I work with a growing plumbing company that wants to expand into total home services and the people just aren’t here to fill the jobs. CVCC is going to have a free hall soon, so why not try for plumbing, HVAC, and electrician training courses? Then internships with locals looking for young and trainable tradespeople. We can also make a statement if we focus on recruiting female tradespeople, because we have a lot of interest around here.
Also, how about entrepreneurial incentives and guaranteed startup loans at lower rates for entrepreneurs that stay here after graduating CVCC or LR? When folks have some ownership in an area, they stay and build things. Perhaps an organization dedicated to supporting not only new young business owners, but also a plan that could solve two problems at once. We could treat our empty buildings like the discount travel sites treat empty hotel rooms, and rather than have them sit there empty...allow legitimate businesses the opportunity to rent to own at a low rate. This could allow businesses on the verge of expansion the opportunity to grow with a bit of a financial safety net
There are a couple of warehouses around town that we would take and start using immediately if it were not for the process of purchasing and investing in upgrades, because we know many of them will need other investments. This is restrictive to companies that can afford to purchase, but not to invest, or the other way around. If businesses on the verge of growth could move in, and increase to a financed loan after a time, that would offer a grace period and get the buildings occupied. These ideas would take investment from established businesses and local government.. .but when we raise the water level, our pond gets bigger and more folks can fit in it.
What do you think about raising the investment expectation our business community should make in our citizenry? It won’t be easy, progress often isn't. but it’s one way to show we care about a lot of our younger folks around here who have seemingly been left behind by the success of precious generations.
(Thom response to Gabriel)
Yes Gabriel, there is a disconnect and lack of understanding about a lot of things these days. When it comes to these issues, I’m just not into the label thing and can’t keep up with all the categories. Economically speaking, I know I’ve heard many of the folks that have moved into our area talk about the low cost of living as a major reason why they moved here. It’s inexpensive compared to larger metropolitan areas. They’ll flat out tell you they also like the lack of hustle and bustle of those larger cities. But folks, hustle and bustle is the result of economic commerce.
There is a flip side to that equation that our older newcomers many times fail to recognize. That inexpensive cost of living many times comes at the expense of those trying to earn a living.
Truly, I understand your angst about wanting to have the minimum wage become a living wage. In my background profession (Restaurant/Hospitality), we employees many times aren’t getting fairly compensated for the skills we acquire. There isn’t much difference between the pay of an entry level restaurant employee and someone with decades of experience.
I just don’t think we get to better compensation levels with artificial wage constructs; higher minimum wage mandates lead to less help being hired, more workload for each worker, frazzled brains, frazzled nerves, mistakes, lower quality services and products, and burn out as you attempt to do more and more work with less and less help. Personally, I understand the need for a minimum wage, but at some point that minimum wage can rise to become more of a hindrance than a help. It can rise to the point where entry level workers don’t get hired and also keeps the experienced workers from getting the merit based pay raises they deserve.
What I think will help wages is a better business environment. More people able and willing to open businesses will lead to competition. Competition between businesses leads to innovation, when fulfilling the needs of the marketplace. Competition for labor will lead to higher wages. We had hustle and bustle, in this community in the 1990s, with the internet revolution spurring worldwide fiber-optic infrastructure layout. Our fiber-optic boom created the highest employment level in our community’s history and led to the highest wages and wage growth we’ve ever seen.
Yes, government can do things to better facilitate an economic growth environment, such as creating “Business Improvement Districts” and facilitating microfinance mechanisms. This helps those who don’t have the financial capability get innovative ideas/products/services off the ground. I just don’t think government will solve all the issues with the marketplace. People and their needs create the marketplace.
==========================================
In Spring, hope springs eternal. There is a fresh optimism that the new growth around us will lead to abundance and prosperity. It seems we see a disconnect all around us, when we have so much to offer one another. Older people have wisdom that younger people need as they follow in the footsteps down life’s path. The younger folks bring the freshness and energy needed to continue building upon the structure of society. The goal of mankind should be to make this place better. We all have to work together to make that happen. We need to appreciate one another. We need to understand one another. We need to connect.
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
My goal in discussing this Fox and Hound material is dedicated to a thread associated with Economic Growth. The initial discussion related to my thoughts about our area’s need for a comprehensive Economic Development plan. I talked about a plan defined by transparency, accountability, and establishing benchmarks that helps build trust with the citizens.
The next discussion, I addressed “Vision” for our area, trying to relate that we need to change how we view communities in the big picture. Our region, rural in nature, will succeed better by relating ourselves not as Smalltown Americana, but as several small to mid-sized communities interconnected through similar, mutual interests having a population of over a half a million people.
Now, I want to talk about aligning with the marketplace. In my opinion, there is somewhat of a disconnect between what currently defines the communities of our region and where communities with robust economic circumstances stand.
What constitutes the modern marketplace? 1) The Marketplace is the everyday world of trade and/or economic activity. 2) The Marketplace is where intangible values compete for acceptance; as in the marketplace of ideas. 3) The Marketplace is the interpreter of supply and demand equilibrium.
Marketplaces are constantly changing. The Modern Marketplace isn’t the formal infrastructure where people gather for trade, as it could be interpreted in days gone by. In fact the internet has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that concrete, mortar, and steel aren’t necessary. In the Modern Marketplace, you still must have human engagement, at some level, to have a market.
Whether it is an individual, company, or community, an economic participant cannot grow effectively and efficiently, if it isn’t fully connected and engaged with the marketplace. You must constantly engage your customers to understand their needs (demand). If those who you are looking to attract don’t perceive value in your product, then you will lose them to competent competitors.
Growth comes from customer demand. Demand is understood by discovering a customer’s unmet needs. Current purchases don’t necessarily reflect future opportunity. Recognizing your current position in the marketplace requires you to understand the frustrations, attitudes, and unmet needs in the market. Proactively, you must develop your organization, products, and priorities keying on customer engagement to meet customer needs and resolve frustrations.
As an example, I have been to various community meetings and events where public officials painted the rosiest of rosy scenarios about where their community stands economically, socially, and culturally; in other words, the community’s position in the marketplace. I get it, this comes part in parcel with leadership, status, and how one justifies their authority, but it does not necessarily correlate to economic reality. It does not necessarily correlate to economic success. Remember what I told you in my “Vision” article, “Economic growth correlates to quality of life.”
There is a disconnect between area leadership and their understanding of the younger generations in the community. Community leadership is mostly of the Baby Boom generation. We are told about all of the community activities we have to offer and I can’t disagree. We are also told that younger people (think Millennials) say there isn’t much to do and that is why they go to Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh, etc. for excursions.
We look at the statistics and see the obvious loss (and lack of engagement) of the younger population in our community through this generation, while tellin’ everyone “nuthin’ could be fin-ah than this part of Carolina.” To me it’s obvious, if we want to attract younger folks, we’ve got to find out what they need and start addressing the problem.
(The Fox: Gabriel Sherwood Intro)
Agreed. There is a disconnect between the older population here and the younger generations, largely in conceptualization regarding the changing realities of our economy in relation to memories of a much different time. When you ask those neighbors of ours in that content age range and demographic, they are often less likely to support strong minimum wage mandates. I don’t assume folks didn’t work hard to gain their successes, I only ask the older generations to realize they may have been starting from a different spot. Not saying folks haven’t experienced hardships, but the cost of the education that fueled much of their success was substantially lower than our students face today. There is also the compensation non-college educated folks are getting now as compared to then, and that is a huge issue on this topic.
When I hear of the marketplace I think of buying power, and that leads me to consider wages. One thing that makes younger folks leave are wages and lack of opportunity for increases. I waited tables for years here, while at CVCC and making 2.13 per hour plus tips, and more than once have gone home with 20 bucks or less. Because I was a single parent, there were also nights a plenty when I paid to work. I served at one place where a chef who prepared meals for our wealthiest neighbors, while struggling with tooth pain and other issues due to no insurance, could barely support his family.
Had I not lived in Public Housing while getting an education it would not have been enough to maintain my family, and it certainly wasn’t enough to be upwardly mobile. I know at least five people that left because our service economy here didn’t pay enough to service their bills or maintain them while they tried to stay, all of them mid to late 20’s in age. If one reads the review sites and looks up Hickory we can taut a great lineup of corporate salaries with an average just above 41 thousand. Great tech and logistics companies, lots of manufacturing , and our medical industry that is quite developed for a city our size... but jobs for those younger folks don’t keep them around if they don’t pay living wages. I have multiple friends who weren’t college bound and wanted to work, and their options for hourly wages are better in the larger cities.
We do have some of the jobs to attract Hipsters, and a culture burgeoning to do so as well, and we are better for it. But, the average young person needs a market that is accessible. That’s both in a physical nature and about our lack of a strong public transportation system, and in the income disparities around us that keep some of us looking for ways out. Access is key to engagement. If we don’t give younger people jobs to pay their bills and ways to get them there without each person parking a car on the street, we aren’t offering the kind of access the average will stay for.
A strong push towards a living wage for our area would not only help those here, but show others that we are concerned not only with jobs, but that those jobs can lift our citizens access to all marketplaces. Of course, there are bills in the NC General Assembly that increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021, but HB2 a couple years ago also had the effect of freezing local minimum wage increases. A push against that law may be required, because frankly...we don’t want to wait another three or four years to start offering a living wage, and that’s assuming either bill passes the NCGA for a governor to sign.
Thom Question and Gabriel response
Gabriel, besides raising the minimum wage and social issues, economically speaking, what can we do to wake our area more attractive to the younger folks?
Well, and I have mentioned this once before, we need young tradespeople ‘round here. I work with a growing plumbing company that wants to expand into total home services and the people just aren’t here to fill the jobs. CVCC is going to have a free hall soon, so why not try for plumbing, HVAC, and electrician training courses? Then internships with locals looking for young and trainable tradespeople. We can also make a statement if we focus on recruiting female tradespeople, because we have a lot of interest around here.
Also, how about entrepreneurial incentives and guaranteed startup loans at lower rates for entrepreneurs that stay here after graduating CVCC or LR? When folks have some ownership in an area, they stay and build things. Perhaps an organization dedicated to supporting not only new young business owners, but also a plan that could solve two problems at once. We could treat our empty buildings like the discount travel sites treat empty hotel rooms, and rather than have them sit there empty...allow legitimate businesses the opportunity to rent to own at a low rate. This could allow businesses on the verge of expansion the opportunity to grow with a bit of a financial safety net
There are a couple of warehouses around town that we would take and start using immediately if it were not for the process of purchasing and investing in upgrades, because we know many of them will need other investments. This is restrictive to companies that can afford to purchase, but not to invest, or the other way around. If businesses on the verge of growth could move in, and increase to a financed loan after a time, that would offer a grace period and get the buildings occupied. These ideas would take investment from established businesses and local government.. .but when we raise the water level, our pond gets bigger and more folks can fit in it.
What do you think about raising the investment expectation our business community should make in our citizenry? It won’t be easy, progress often isn't. but it’s one way to show we care about a lot of our younger folks around here who have seemingly been left behind by the success of precious generations.
(Thom response to Gabriel)
Yes Gabriel, there is a disconnect and lack of understanding about a lot of things these days. When it comes to these issues, I’m just not into the label thing and can’t keep up with all the categories. Economically speaking, I know I’ve heard many of the folks that have moved into our area talk about the low cost of living as a major reason why they moved here. It’s inexpensive compared to larger metropolitan areas. They’ll flat out tell you they also like the lack of hustle and bustle of those larger cities. But folks, hustle and bustle is the result of economic commerce.
There is a flip side to that equation that our older newcomers many times fail to recognize. That inexpensive cost of living many times comes at the expense of those trying to earn a living.
Truly, I understand your angst about wanting to have the minimum wage become a living wage. In my background profession (Restaurant/Hospitality), we employees many times aren’t getting fairly compensated for the skills we acquire. There isn’t much difference between the pay of an entry level restaurant employee and someone with decades of experience.
I just don’t think we get to better compensation levels with artificial wage constructs; higher minimum wage mandates lead to less help being hired, more workload for each worker, frazzled brains, frazzled nerves, mistakes, lower quality services and products, and burn out as you attempt to do more and more work with less and less help. Personally, I understand the need for a minimum wage, but at some point that minimum wage can rise to become more of a hindrance than a help. It can rise to the point where entry level workers don’t get hired and also keeps the experienced workers from getting the merit based pay raises they deserve.
What I think will help wages is a better business environment. More people able and willing to open businesses will lead to competition. Competition between businesses leads to innovation, when fulfilling the needs of the marketplace. Competition for labor will lead to higher wages. We had hustle and bustle, in this community in the 1990s, with the internet revolution spurring worldwide fiber-optic infrastructure layout. Our fiber-optic boom created the highest employment level in our community’s history and led to the highest wages and wage growth we’ve ever seen.
Yes, government can do things to better facilitate an economic growth environment, such as creating “Business Improvement Districts” and facilitating microfinance mechanisms. This helps those who don’t have the financial capability get innovative ideas/products/services off the ground. I just don’t think government will solve all the issues with the marketplace. People and their needs create the marketplace.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Foothills Digest - Fox & Hound Article - Winter 2018
The following is the beginning of a multi-part series in which the discussion involved Economic Development in our area. Cliff Moone stepped aside and Gabriel Sherwood took his place as the Fox. Gabriel has been heavily involved in the Democrat Party of Catawba County.
This is a six part series in which we discuss Developing a Vision for our community, aligning to the realities of the marketplace, leveraging our community's unique strengths, inspiring people to innovate and change, and articulating how we connect with and influence people to move here and do business in our area.
Essentially it is a series of discussions about how we look to develop a better, healthier ecosystem for our community.
=====================================
Article Intro
First of all, I would like to congratulate Carmen on winning the Edison Project for 2017. I, Thom Shell, was a part of the Future Economy Council group, created by Danny Hearn of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce that spoke to the “Vision” of such a contest for start-ups and innovators in our community. We all must thank Garrett Hinshaw - President of Catawba Valley Community College, Bill Parrish - formerly of the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Sid Connor - formerly Director of the NC Center for Engineering Technologies, and Jeff Neuville and Tom Shea local Business Developing Entrepreneurs (and others) who all came together to establish, implement, and mentor this program.
These and other endeavors can help our area move forward. We should all take an interest in such initiatives and support them in whatever way we can. You may not realize that, just by reading this magazine, you are helping support several local entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative people in our community. I hope that you will spread the word about this interesting magazine. We need to support the true assets of our community.
The subject matter of this Fox and Hound opinion article is about “Vision” for our region. It is an open ended discussion and here are some ideas about our future.
------------------------------------------
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
“Vision” for our community? … Something that I have elaborated on before on my site “The Hickory Hound.” What are our objectives? Where do we want to be in 5, 10, to 25 years as far as Economic, Cultural, and Social Development?
One - I truly believe the backbone of progress is based upon the necessity to engage and encourage the broadest possible dialogue with the largest number of people possible. Society is strongest when there is an active, informed citizenry. A small pool of participants tends to limit initiative and stagnate ideas, ultimately leading to a small closed circuit group acting in their own self interests with the public interest taking a backseat.
Two - Economic growth correlates to quality of life. Over the past several years, I have taken a trip down to the Eastern half of the State to visit family that live east of Fayetteville. This journey involves the most heavily travelled driving routes in this State and I have observed what is the reality of economic division in what is the ‘Tale of Two States’ in North Carolina.
The northern route I-40/I-85 corridor has been developed rapidly over the past 25 years. From Winston-Salem to Raleigh, it is hard to tell where one city ends and the next begins. Raleigh is the fastest growing metropolitan area in our State. The I-95 corridor from Raleigh to Fayetteville is growing by leaps and bounds. The southern route involves Charlotte, which has always done its own thing pretty well. Most of the other areas in North Carolina, including the Northwest Foothills, have been left behind by the narrow focus of the decision makers in the State and Federal governments.
Three – No investment equals no growth. Look at your personal life. You have to make investments to have personal growth. You have to buy food to live. You have to have shelter. You have to have health and hygiene. Of course, there are two types of investments – good and bad.
One thing is for sure, Charlotte’s population has nearly doubled over the past 25 years. Charlotte, with over 800,000 people, is now larger than Atlanta. Charlotte has been good at taking care of Charlotte and our area is going to have to get good at taking care of our interests. Generally speaking we have nine counties that have the same interests – Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga, and Wilkes. We are a much more rural area than the City of Charlotte, but together this area has a population of over 500,000.
The bottom line is that our area deserves more attention. We have a great University in Appalachian State and we have access to several technical schools. What is important is that our area must become more interconnected.
What I envision is a Regional Economic Development Corporation that incorporates all of these Northwestern North Carolina counties. This entity would coordinate the overall economic interests of our entire area. The counties would no longer be competing amongst themselves for viable projects. They would begin working together to compete against larger markets, such as Charlotte and Raleigh. I would also like to see a consolidation of the various Chambers of Commerce in the region. In my opinion, we don’t need a separate Chamber of Commerce in every county. It just isn’t viable. Each county would have representatives and headquarters within these entities to ensure they are properly represented, but they would coordinate towards the big picture.
Of course there is more, but I believe these are good initial steps towards building a solid, constructive foundation for our future.
-----------------------------------------------------
(The Fox: Gabriel Sherwood Intro)
Economics
Though not technically in Northwestern North Carolina, Catawba County is a waystation between that region and the piedmont’s economic activity. Our economy is invariably linked to those regions we connect as neighbors and we should see our futures as intertwined. Withinvestment in the area by 21st century industries and infrastructure, and local governments advocating for citizen interests without reserve, the diversity of our young population will stay and expand the economic capacity.
There are ways we can capitalize on our neighboring county’s successes, we just need potential companies and our citizenry to find common ground here to build on. Economic opportunity must reach everyone, and the whole of our diverse population should be respected and supported in efforts of growth as well. Our public transportation systems are basic and limiting, which is a hindrance to both our citizenry and attracting more progressive industry. Among our goals should be public transportation options to allow mobility of our masses to meet the needs that are only a few miles away, and options for efficient travel to and from the Charlotte area.
With the completion of the 485 loop and the recent improvements to highway 16 the trip from Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport to the heart of Catawba County is quicker than ever, which makes us a prime target for corporate investment. Aline along the highway 16 route to connect to Charlotte’s Lynx Light Rail would open doors for commuters to live cheaper here and invest city salaries in our communities.We have inexpensive land that is connected to the Northwest region and the national roadways with I-40, we have inexpensive energy that includes some from renewables, we have a young and diverse population, we have varied recreation opportunities, and we have moderate weather. All we need are a few more options for industrial growth and an efficient means for our workforce to move around.
Because we are a forward looking area…potential companies, our communities, and our educational centers, are working on some of it already.
Education
The Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir, area was recently rated as the 8th least educated in the nation. One reason we don’t attract such investment in modern economic activity is a need for skilled workers in varied fields. We have one of the most advanced centers for medical education in the simulated hospital at Catawba Valley Community College, which now sees 25% of its enrollment come from county high school students. The college’s recent investments in the expansion of their manufacturing and furniture programs can help us rebuild some of the ground lost to outsourcing. The center for modern manufacturing techniques will tune up those jobs in the region and the Furniture Academy will help solidify the presence of one of our oldest industries.
The Northwestern region also boasts great centers for higher learning, but their resort and tourist economies don’t support the graduates for the most part. Charlotte and other cities traditionally get the new blood, but we can change that by getting more of the most sought after industries to settle outside of city expenses. CVCC has had a Cyber Security program, its return should be lobbied for. In recent years, Cyber Security’s open positions are going unfilled nationally and there are 80-100k jobs begging for qualified candidates in Baltimore and some other cities. Let’s have Western NC become a home from Cyber Security Education and service, along with its national security investments, and bring a couple thousand professional positionsin the 40-80k range to air conditioned rooms across the NW and Foothills.
If we build it, they will come…both the companies looking for less expensive overhead and the graduates of CVCC, App. State, and UNCA.
Social
Though we expanded diversity and mixed the political ideologies a bit in recent elections, we saw less than 20% turnout. We will need to improve that if we really want everyone bought into a vision. How about demographic targeting with real incentives, like an expansion of our power systems to include solar on all store and warehouse roofs? If we want to get attention and make it easier for younger folks to invest in property and add to the community, bill North Western NC as the lowest energy in the state. Not to mention…keep things going the next time a tornado waltzes by.
We haveyoung African American communities, we have young Latino communities, we have young Asian communities, we have a strong LGBTQ communities, and plenty of Conservatives and Liberals who sit together and talk like people of good will do. Hickory hosts a Free Thinkers Convention each year welcoming Atheists from all over the world, surrounded by many churches of many faiths, so we have a great melting pot of ideas and cultures. I think we have the civic will and social tolerance to make these things happen.
That is a great strength of Catawba County, North Western North Carolina, and the state as a whole. Let’s be sure, that our little corner, no one gets left behind.
Gabriel Sherwood
-----------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell questions for Gabriel
Gabriel, since I pretty much agreed with what you addressed in your open summary on “Vision”, please tell us what you think the younger generations are going to need to make our region a viable option for living and desirable quality of life issues? Please, as a Millenial, define our area’s present reality from your perspective/point of view…
--------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel Answers Thom's Questions
Yes, congratulations to Carmen for the recognition of her work and skill, to Foothills Digest for the acclaim. Thanks also to James for his insightful reporting and work for the area and our neighbors. To your question: Access is key to growth, and according to research from 2014 less than 25% of 16-year-old’s in the US had their licenses. That’s a 46% drop from 30 years earlier, and those in their 20’s were nearly 20% less likely to drive. Whether this is fuel cost issues, auto cost issues, licensure requirements, or whatever, the point is clear…younger people need transportation options. As may have been noted in your writings on Hickory Hound, the mass transit systems within the county are quite constricting.
After losing a business in Charlotte during the recession, my daughter and I spent a few years in public housing in Hickory. So, we relied on public transportation for a while, and had I not had friends with cars and the skills to get hired in specialty services we could still be there. The bus system really doesn’t cover much of our area’s housing, and though the lines cover main thoroughfares, lower income folks and young people lack access to much of the economic activity. Not to mention the hours of operation. Also, and sadly, during early voting days each year the voting place for the citizens of Maiden is the Newton Main Library. For those with no transportation, and no bus that connect the downtowns, many of those citizens can’t make it.
There are grants available for transportation expansion from both the federal government and the state, with millions available to an innovative approach, so let’s put folks to work getting other folks to work. How about contracts with transportation companies to subsidize fares for cabs, which can charge 10 bucks to go 5 miles in some cases, or perhaps the expansion and regulated use of services like Uber? This expands fleets and drivers, gets young people to work and school, and makes a statement about access and its impact when we see the resulting economic activity? This model is intended for Catawba County, and other counties in the NW NC region must work with their demographics and needs, but I think it could be an option for some.
In many ways, the young people of the area have been let down. Reeducation and training after the loss of industry wasn’t incentivized locally and access wasn’t prioritized, though it is now being worked on for certain citizens, many aren’t feeling it. As you have mentioned in regards to CVCC, and thanks for your efforts there too, investments have been made in the future. I would advocate a more open trade education, though. I am the Business Manager of a Plumbing Company, and I would love a few plumbing courses, or a certificate program in ours and other trades. But, that’s what we are here for, to observe and inform and advocate reasonable goals…would you advocate for that as well?
There are a lot of young people here who feel separated, and little ownership in our communities. I recently spoke to government classes at CVCC and noticed in one of them that most of the class was in the largest seat section to the left of me, while the five African American students sat to themselves on the right of me. Though I am a few years senior to a Millennial, these folks were right there in the age range and demographic to feel the impact of the decimation of the strong middle-class model in favor of “Voodoo Economics” and dog whistle politics. Other groups, like our Latino citizens, our LGBTQ community, and even some secular students in very religious parts of our area, are feeling a bit more directly targeted of late. This won’t engender a desire to stay, though many of us are trying to encourage the will to work towards change the old-fashioned way. With the patience, character, and the work ethic, of Western North Carolina.
How should we go about connecting the economic centers of Northwestern NC and Catawba County with Charlotte in order to bring companies to a future suburban area? Public transportation investment, or attracting private enterprise…preferably both? How about a Hyper-loop…It’s possible, if far fetched?
How should we most effectively engage our population and activate its diverse base? Public events management, educational outreach, outside recruiting…?
---------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel Sherwood questions for Thom.
1. How should we go about connecting the economic centers of Northwestern NC and Catawba County with Charlotte in order to bring companies to a future suburban area? Public transportation investment, or attracting private enterprise…preferably both? How about a Hyper-loop…It’s possible, if far fetched?
2. How should we most effectively engage our population and activate its diverse base? Public events management, educational outreach, outside recruiting…?
----------------------------------------------------------
Thom Answers Gabriel's Questions
Gabriel, I cannot disagree with anything you have proposed. 100%, I agree that we must interconnect ourselves with neighboring communities and the region at-large. Whether we like it or not, we are a part of Charlotte. As a person with direct connections to Charlotte, I appreciate the growth Charlotte has experienced over this generation. Charlotte has grown from a regional to a national and is becoming an international city right before our eyes.
With regards to your question/statement regarding direct transportation connectivity to Charlotte, I could not have said it better myself. On the Hickory Hound, I spoke of this direct light rail link into Charlotte - Light Rail to Charlotte: One Investment Worth Making – January 25, 2009.
That article also involved the connection of Amtrak high speed rail between Charlotte and Atlanta. The region we live in is a Megalopolis that stretches from Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee in the West to Raleigh in the East. As a whole, the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion has a population of over 25 million people. It includes Interstates 40 and 85 and encompasses several major cities interconnected through a major backbone of transportation connectivity. We must engage our region.
I have also wanted to see passenger rail service reinstituted from Asheville to Salisbury with a stop in our area. Gabriel, we are not alone in wanting to see this happen. Locally, our State Representative Jay Adams promoted the idea of renovating the Caldwell County rail line. This would have gone a long way towards redeveloping the sub-corridor that runs from Hickory to Lenoir. If not renovated through rail, the line could be paved and a tram could be run along that path. It could also become associated as an artery for open greenspace pedestrian and bicycle travel.
As far as encouraging industry and people to become a part of our area, we must look at what we are presently and honestly accept the reality – no buzzwords, no catchphrases, no propaganda. I believe we have failed our young people in this community. Area leadership must be willing to open their minds to possibilities, accept people for who they are, be willing to engage and work well with others, and then decide where we want to be in 5, 10, 25 years… Then develop a plan accordingly with detailed steps, transparent processes, benchmarks, and accountability measures to move us towards our objectives.
--------------------------------------
This is a six part series in which we discuss Developing a Vision for our community, aligning to the realities of the marketplace, leveraging our community's unique strengths, inspiring people to innovate and change, and articulating how we connect with and influence people to move here and do business in our area.
Essentially it is a series of discussions about how we look to develop a better, healthier ecosystem for our community.
=====================================
Article Intro
First of all, I would like to congratulate Carmen on winning the Edison Project for 2017. I, Thom Shell, was a part of the Future Economy Council group, created by Danny Hearn of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce that spoke to the “Vision” of such a contest for start-ups and innovators in our community. We all must thank Garrett Hinshaw - President of Catawba Valley Community College, Bill Parrish - formerly of the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Sid Connor - formerly Director of the NC Center for Engineering Technologies, and Jeff Neuville and Tom Shea local Business Developing Entrepreneurs (and others) who all came together to establish, implement, and mentor this program.
These and other endeavors can help our area move forward. We should all take an interest in such initiatives and support them in whatever way we can. You may not realize that, just by reading this magazine, you are helping support several local entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative people in our community. I hope that you will spread the word about this interesting magazine. We need to support the true assets of our community.
The subject matter of this Fox and Hound opinion article is about “Vision” for our region. It is an open ended discussion and here are some ideas about our future.
------------------------------------------
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
“Vision” for our community? … Something that I have elaborated on before on my site “The Hickory Hound.” What are our objectives? Where do we want to be in 5, 10, to 25 years as far as Economic, Cultural, and Social Development?
One - I truly believe the backbone of progress is based upon the necessity to engage and encourage the broadest possible dialogue with the largest number of people possible. Society is strongest when there is an active, informed citizenry. A small pool of participants tends to limit initiative and stagnate ideas, ultimately leading to a small closed circuit group acting in their own self interests with the public interest taking a backseat.
Two - Economic growth correlates to quality of life. Over the past several years, I have taken a trip down to the Eastern half of the State to visit family that live east of Fayetteville. This journey involves the most heavily travelled driving routes in this State and I have observed what is the reality of economic division in what is the ‘Tale of Two States’ in North Carolina.
The northern route I-40/I-85 corridor has been developed rapidly over the past 25 years. From Winston-Salem to Raleigh, it is hard to tell where one city ends and the next begins. Raleigh is the fastest growing metropolitan area in our State. The I-95 corridor from Raleigh to Fayetteville is growing by leaps and bounds. The southern route involves Charlotte, which has always done its own thing pretty well. Most of the other areas in North Carolina, including the Northwest Foothills, have been left behind by the narrow focus of the decision makers in the State and Federal governments.
Three – No investment equals no growth. Look at your personal life. You have to make investments to have personal growth. You have to buy food to live. You have to have shelter. You have to have health and hygiene. Of course, there are two types of investments – good and bad.
One thing is for sure, Charlotte’s population has nearly doubled over the past 25 years. Charlotte, with over 800,000 people, is now larger than Atlanta. Charlotte has been good at taking care of Charlotte and our area is going to have to get good at taking care of our interests. Generally speaking we have nine counties that have the same interests – Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga, and Wilkes. We are a much more rural area than the City of Charlotte, but together this area has a population of over 500,000.
The bottom line is that our area deserves more attention. We have a great University in Appalachian State and we have access to several technical schools. What is important is that our area must become more interconnected.
What I envision is a Regional Economic Development Corporation that incorporates all of these Northwestern North Carolina counties. This entity would coordinate the overall economic interests of our entire area. The counties would no longer be competing amongst themselves for viable projects. They would begin working together to compete against larger markets, such as Charlotte and Raleigh. I would also like to see a consolidation of the various Chambers of Commerce in the region. In my opinion, we don’t need a separate Chamber of Commerce in every county. It just isn’t viable. Each county would have representatives and headquarters within these entities to ensure they are properly represented, but they would coordinate towards the big picture.
Of course there is more, but I believe these are good initial steps towards building a solid, constructive foundation for our future.
-----------------------------------------------------
(The Fox: Gabriel Sherwood Intro)
Economics
Though not technically in Northwestern North Carolina, Catawba County is a waystation between that region and the piedmont’s economic activity. Our economy is invariably linked to those regions we connect as neighbors and we should see our futures as intertwined. Withinvestment in the area by 21st century industries and infrastructure, and local governments advocating for citizen interests without reserve, the diversity of our young population will stay and expand the economic capacity.
There are ways we can capitalize on our neighboring county’s successes, we just need potential companies and our citizenry to find common ground here to build on. Economic opportunity must reach everyone, and the whole of our diverse population should be respected and supported in efforts of growth as well. Our public transportation systems are basic and limiting, which is a hindrance to both our citizenry and attracting more progressive industry. Among our goals should be public transportation options to allow mobility of our masses to meet the needs that are only a few miles away, and options for efficient travel to and from the Charlotte area.
With the completion of the 485 loop and the recent improvements to highway 16 the trip from Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport to the heart of Catawba County is quicker than ever, which makes us a prime target for corporate investment. Aline along the highway 16 route to connect to Charlotte’s Lynx Light Rail would open doors for commuters to live cheaper here and invest city salaries in our communities.We have inexpensive land that is connected to the Northwest region and the national roadways with I-40, we have inexpensive energy that includes some from renewables, we have a young and diverse population, we have varied recreation opportunities, and we have moderate weather. All we need are a few more options for industrial growth and an efficient means for our workforce to move around.
Because we are a forward looking area…potential companies, our communities, and our educational centers, are working on some of it already.
Education
The Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir, area was recently rated as the 8th least educated in the nation. One reason we don’t attract such investment in modern economic activity is a need for skilled workers in varied fields. We have one of the most advanced centers for medical education in the simulated hospital at Catawba Valley Community College, which now sees 25% of its enrollment come from county high school students. The college’s recent investments in the expansion of their manufacturing and furniture programs can help us rebuild some of the ground lost to outsourcing. The center for modern manufacturing techniques will tune up those jobs in the region and the Furniture Academy will help solidify the presence of one of our oldest industries.
The Northwestern region also boasts great centers for higher learning, but their resort and tourist economies don’t support the graduates for the most part. Charlotte and other cities traditionally get the new blood, but we can change that by getting more of the most sought after industries to settle outside of city expenses. CVCC has had a Cyber Security program, its return should be lobbied for. In recent years, Cyber Security’s open positions are going unfilled nationally and there are 80-100k jobs begging for qualified candidates in Baltimore and some other cities. Let’s have Western NC become a home from Cyber Security Education and service, along with its national security investments, and bring a couple thousand professional positionsin the 40-80k range to air conditioned rooms across the NW and Foothills.
If we build it, they will come…both the companies looking for less expensive overhead and the graduates of CVCC, App. State, and UNCA.
Social
Though we expanded diversity and mixed the political ideologies a bit in recent elections, we saw less than 20% turnout. We will need to improve that if we really want everyone bought into a vision. How about demographic targeting with real incentives, like an expansion of our power systems to include solar on all store and warehouse roofs? If we want to get attention and make it easier for younger folks to invest in property and add to the community, bill North Western NC as the lowest energy in the state. Not to mention…keep things going the next time a tornado waltzes by.
We haveyoung African American communities, we have young Latino communities, we have young Asian communities, we have a strong LGBTQ communities, and plenty of Conservatives and Liberals who sit together and talk like people of good will do. Hickory hosts a Free Thinkers Convention each year welcoming Atheists from all over the world, surrounded by many churches of many faiths, so we have a great melting pot of ideas and cultures. I think we have the civic will and social tolerance to make these things happen.
That is a great strength of Catawba County, North Western North Carolina, and the state as a whole. Let’s be sure, that our little corner, no one gets left behind.
Gabriel Sherwood
-----------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell questions for Gabriel
Gabriel, since I pretty much agreed with what you addressed in your open summary on “Vision”, please tell us what you think the younger generations are going to need to make our region a viable option for living and desirable quality of life issues? Please, as a Millenial, define our area’s present reality from your perspective/point of view…
--------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel Answers Thom's Questions
Yes, congratulations to Carmen for the recognition of her work and skill, to Foothills Digest for the acclaim. Thanks also to James for his insightful reporting and work for the area and our neighbors. To your question: Access is key to growth, and according to research from 2014 less than 25% of 16-year-old’s in the US had their licenses. That’s a 46% drop from 30 years earlier, and those in their 20’s were nearly 20% less likely to drive. Whether this is fuel cost issues, auto cost issues, licensure requirements, or whatever, the point is clear…younger people need transportation options. As may have been noted in your writings on Hickory Hound, the mass transit systems within the county are quite constricting.
After losing a business in Charlotte during the recession, my daughter and I spent a few years in public housing in Hickory. So, we relied on public transportation for a while, and had I not had friends with cars and the skills to get hired in specialty services we could still be there. The bus system really doesn’t cover much of our area’s housing, and though the lines cover main thoroughfares, lower income folks and young people lack access to much of the economic activity. Not to mention the hours of operation. Also, and sadly, during early voting days each year the voting place for the citizens of Maiden is the Newton Main Library. For those with no transportation, and no bus that connect the downtowns, many of those citizens can’t make it.
There are grants available for transportation expansion from both the federal government and the state, with millions available to an innovative approach, so let’s put folks to work getting other folks to work. How about contracts with transportation companies to subsidize fares for cabs, which can charge 10 bucks to go 5 miles in some cases, or perhaps the expansion and regulated use of services like Uber? This expands fleets and drivers, gets young people to work and school, and makes a statement about access and its impact when we see the resulting economic activity? This model is intended for Catawba County, and other counties in the NW NC region must work with their demographics and needs, but I think it could be an option for some.
In many ways, the young people of the area have been let down. Reeducation and training after the loss of industry wasn’t incentivized locally and access wasn’t prioritized, though it is now being worked on for certain citizens, many aren’t feeling it. As you have mentioned in regards to CVCC, and thanks for your efforts there too, investments have been made in the future. I would advocate a more open trade education, though. I am the Business Manager of a Plumbing Company, and I would love a few plumbing courses, or a certificate program in ours and other trades. But, that’s what we are here for, to observe and inform and advocate reasonable goals…would you advocate for that as well?
There are a lot of young people here who feel separated, and little ownership in our communities. I recently spoke to government classes at CVCC and noticed in one of them that most of the class was in the largest seat section to the left of me, while the five African American students sat to themselves on the right of me. Though I am a few years senior to a Millennial, these folks were right there in the age range and demographic to feel the impact of the decimation of the strong middle-class model in favor of “Voodoo Economics” and dog whistle politics. Other groups, like our Latino citizens, our LGBTQ community, and even some secular students in very religious parts of our area, are feeling a bit more directly targeted of late. This won’t engender a desire to stay, though many of us are trying to encourage the will to work towards change the old-fashioned way. With the patience, character, and the work ethic, of Western North Carolina.
How should we go about connecting the economic centers of Northwestern NC and Catawba County with Charlotte in order to bring companies to a future suburban area? Public transportation investment, or attracting private enterprise…preferably both? How about a Hyper-loop…It’s possible, if far fetched?
How should we most effectively engage our population and activate its diverse base? Public events management, educational outreach, outside recruiting…?
---------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel Sherwood questions for Thom.
1. How should we go about connecting the economic centers of Northwestern NC and Catawba County with Charlotte in order to bring companies to a future suburban area? Public transportation investment, or attracting private enterprise…preferably both? How about a Hyper-loop…It’s possible, if far fetched?
2. How should we most effectively engage our population and activate its diverse base? Public events management, educational outreach, outside recruiting…?
----------------------------------------------------------
Thom Answers Gabriel's Questions
Gabriel, I cannot disagree with anything you have proposed. 100%, I agree that we must interconnect ourselves with neighboring communities and the region at-large. Whether we like it or not, we are a part of Charlotte. As a person with direct connections to Charlotte, I appreciate the growth Charlotte has experienced over this generation. Charlotte has grown from a regional to a national and is becoming an international city right before our eyes.
With regards to your question/statement regarding direct transportation connectivity to Charlotte, I could not have said it better myself. On the Hickory Hound, I spoke of this direct light rail link into Charlotte - Light Rail to Charlotte: One Investment Worth Making – January 25, 2009.
That article also involved the connection of Amtrak high speed rail between Charlotte and Atlanta. The region we live in is a Megalopolis that stretches from Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee in the West to Raleigh in the East. As a whole, the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion has a population of over 25 million people. It includes Interstates 40 and 85 and encompasses several major cities interconnected through a major backbone of transportation connectivity. We must engage our region.
I have also wanted to see passenger rail service reinstituted from Asheville to Salisbury with a stop in our area. Gabriel, we are not alone in wanting to see this happen. Locally, our State Representative Jay Adams promoted the idea of renovating the Caldwell County rail line. This would have gone a long way towards redeveloping the sub-corridor that runs from Hickory to Lenoir. If not renovated through rail, the line could be paved and a tram could be run along that path. It could also become associated as an artery for open greenspace pedestrian and bicycle travel.
As far as encouraging industry and people to become a part of our area, we must look at what we are presently and honestly accept the reality – no buzzwords, no catchphrases, no propaganda. I believe we have failed our young people in this community. Area leadership must be willing to open their minds to possibilities, accept people for who they are, be willing to engage and work well with others, and then decide where we want to be in 5, 10, 25 years… Then develop a plan accordingly with detailed steps, transparent processes, benchmarks, and accountability measures to move us towards our objectives.
--------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Foothills Digest - Fox & Hound Article - Fall 2017
I haven't posted on here in nearly two years. I had some self-reflective upheaval in my life a couple of years ago and something had to give with regards to time. The loss of a good friend in Richard Garrison made me take a good hard look at my life. He was one of many friends who I had lost in a period of two years that played a part in the content of this site. When you get in a rut, you don't have to keep diggin' the hole.
I haven't stopped writing or having opinions related to the issues we have discussed here. Carmen Eckard started a magazine along about the time I stopped posting here. When I stopped posting here, I had already submitted my first content to the Foothills Digest. I asked Carmen for permission to post those quarterly articles here and she encouraged me to do so. People have encouraged me to get back on this site and get things goin' again. I never intended to stop posting. It just happened. I can't promise to deliver the prolific content of the past, but I will do my best to start posting again.
If you haven't checked out Carmen's magazine you should. It is awesome and that isn't just my biased opinion. It is an award winner -- The Foothills Digest
========================================
In our initial Fox and Hound article, Cliff Moone and Thom Shell give their viewpoints on Economic Development in our region. The focus of the article is on Economic Regeneration and how it is necessary for us to creatively reinvent who we are as we move forward through the 21st Century. Hickory, the largest city in the Northwest Foothills, is in many ways the Economic Hub and gateway of the region. The various communities of our region face the same issues. The loss of so much of our manufacturing base, changes in how we are now defined socio-economically and culturally, and how do we evolve to remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape. Hickory provides the backdrop for the debate about how best to move forward...
---------------------------------------------
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
Since 2000, our region, here in Northwestern North Carolina has faced a great many economic challenges. We haven’t grown very much in population and the economy has never fully recovered from the hits it took following the implementation of several International Trade agreements at the start of the new century and the great financial crisis of 2008.
Our region is experiencing many of the pains that similar U.S. Industrial/Manufacturing cities have gone through in the present generation. “Legacy Cities,” as these communities are defined, relied on industrial production to provide their economic base. Unfortunately, they have seen their manufacturing capacity diminish greatly. As a result of the economic flux, these communities have seen reduced real estate property demand lead to diminished property values and in some cases abandonment. This has presented many challenges to municipal governments (and their resources), constraining their ability to deal with burgeoning economic and social predicaments.
But what should be understood is our region, and its various communities, has many assets that can be catalysts for regeneration; including vital downtown areas, stable and historic neighborhoods, transportation networks, educational assets, medical centers, and rich artistic and cultural resources. In regenerating our area, we must capitalize on these assets and relate their value, while renovating our local economic engine.
What’s First? We have to have a real plan!
In our regional corridor (Megalopolis), a true success story is Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina. Upstate South Carolina has seen many successes over the past 25 years related to its recruitment of BMW to build an automotive plant in the area. This has led to the formation of an “Economic Cluster” of automotive-related businesses. This did not occur through happenstance. Upstate South Carolina interests began exploring BMW recruitment possibilities years before it happened.
Upstate South Carolina leaders did not bemoan the lack of trained/experienced workforce and by all accounts, BMW did not care either. When the plant opened in 1994, 60,000 people had applied for 1,000 jobs. Since then, BMW has invested about $10 billion and created 9,000 direct jobs — not counting the indirect jobs related to automotive manufacturing. BMW has also invested in the local technical college system to enhance the concept of pre-employment training of potential workforce. The “halo effect” and positive publicity related to the BMW experience is something money could not buy.
In Hickory, $40 million in Bond Referendums were approved in 2014. The City Officials’ plan was pitched to businesses well before it was proposed to citizens. This plan had basically no input from Hickory’s citizenry. The subsequent years have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum election process and lacked the accomplishment of any meaningful transformative objectives.
We need input from the community’s people to develop a forward "Vision" and a strategy to implement it. The Vision’s goals need to be purposeful; not a rearranging of the status quo. An audit, assessing market realities, should be performed to develop a foundation for a rooted economic/financial plan that helps implement the Vision. The plan should take into account the area’s present residents and potential attracted newcomers. The plan should be creative, fundamentally sound, and have specific details about the elements that will lead to the expected outcome.
Plan objectives should be deliberated openly and honestly from all perspectives. Setting up transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure the plan is followed and builds trust. This leads to community buy-in and the support necessary to face difficult tasks head-on.
Like Greenville, plans and targeted investment are important; but much of what we need, money cannot buy. Our most important asset is our people.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Fox: Cliff Moone Intro
When you attend as many civic events as I do, you frequently hear presentations on economic development in the Hickory Metro Area. Eventually, you get the impression that the operating premise for economic development is “throw as many ideas as you can up against the wall and see what sticks.” I intentionally overstate, admitting I write not as an economist or economic development expert, but as an attentive citizen and dedicated promoter of the region for which Hickory is the hub. Still, from my perspective, the “throw it all against the wall and see what sticks or works” approach may be better than it sounds.
Clearly, any notion of economic development in all its facets is an exact science seems obviously flawed. Otherwise, most businesses wouldn’t fail within their first ten years; otherwise, we could predict precisely under what exact conditions recessions and expansions will occur; otherwise, successful economic development could be accomplished by formula. This is not to say that economic planners, economists, or even political leaders don’t have any knowledge or experience that applied appropriately won’t help spur successful economic growth.
Today, there’s an abundance of data regarding the conditions under which economic growth is most likely to occur. For example, we know tax policy can have a definite impact, so too, the regulations government places on businesses, whether to limit fraud or for consumer protection, so too, whether appropriate infrastructure is put in place. Additionally, incentives offered by state or local governments can influence economic development. But you don’t have to be an expert to know that no one of these or other “condition setters” is automatically determinative as an input to get the desired output of economic growth. Even something as nebulous as a positive, hopeful outlook versus a negative, “it can’t be done” outlook can make a difference.
Which brings me to the main point this non-expert, sixty-eight-year-old observer would like to suggest to the critics of the bond projects, the efforts of the area EDC, the Chamber of Commerce’s work in economic development, or the Hickory City Manager’s recently proposed vision to move our city and metro area forward from “recovery” to “prosperity”: When nobody has a “magic bullet,” a shotgun is a really good weapon of choice. When you need a multi-faceted, non-singular solution, no one aspect of any “plan” will bring you to the promised land. It takes a lot of ideas and a lot of folks trying many things to achieve success.
In the midst of the Great Depression, after over three years of waiting for recovery to just happen, a new President, FDR, initiated what he termed the “New Deal.” The operating principle of that New Deal was every idea is welcome and we’ll try anything and almost everything. We’ll keep what works and we’ll discard what doesn’t. It mostly worked, not everything, but despite what revisionist historians will assert, the New Deal approach lifted a country frozen in fear, defeat, and despondency back on its feet and on a path to economic recovery.
Most critics of the recent economic development proposals for the Hickory Metro Area I’ve encountered have argued something like “a City Walk or a River Walk won’t bring permanent, sustainable jobs.” Others have critiqued the 1764 Project as being too removed from Hickory or have critiqued some other specific piece of the plans being proposed. Others have suggested that the planning process itself has been out of order, diminishing the potential effectiveness for attracting new businesses.
These critiques have some merit. I suggest none I’ve heard are so crucially serious as to derail the potential success of what development professionals, business leaders, our political leaders, and the voters have envisioned and initiated. Admittedly, I’m an optimist, but notwithstanding that every plan, every vision has flaws, I remain excited and on board with our multi-faceted, “build it and they will come,” now is the time, better try something, and let’s see what sticks adventure toward a better economic future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell questions for Cliff
Cliff, I agree that Economics is an inexact science. Your proposal, the shotgun approach, is valid if the ideas process comes through a group of diverse individuals from different social and cultural backgrounds, but coming from an individual (or small, closed-circuit group), it reminds me of what we call in the restaurant business, “Winging It,” which is what we do when we aren’t prepared and we improvise to get through a moment.
I would like to ask: 1) Even if we do follow the shotgun approach, shouldn’t we set benchmarks and metrics to define a program’s success or failure? 2) Given that the people of the community are putting their full faith and trust in Community Leadership in this endeavor, isn’t part of the leadership role to define the “Vision” and its objectives? As a member of Hickory’s Bond Commission, here is your opportunity to tell us specifically what we are doing in all of this to bring about more jobs and increased prosperity in our area?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cliff Moone response to Thom
Thom, I generally agree with your description of what happened here since 2000. That's a pretty well-established history. I also concur with you about our assets and much of what you have to say about a "vision" and "plan."
Where we diverge in our views is when you start asserting that we have had "no input from citizens" on the Bond projects. First, we had and continue to have some public hearings and discussions at City Council before putting the Bond Referendum to a vote. Then the citizens voted. Since then, the Bond Implementation Commission has met at least quarterly (and subcommittees even more often) all of which were open to the public. The Commission itself (and its individual members) is a conduit of and for citizen input on an ongoing basis. Members of the Commission also serve limited terms so new members are often being added.
So, my question is what is your evidence that citizen input has been or is lacking in this aspect of our economic development plan?
Second, your comment about the projects now in process "have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum..." reflects a concern I, as a Commission member has voiced on several occasions. Despite some small efforts to keep the public informed about the progress of the projects, not enough has been or is being done in this area in my view. However, those who are well acquainted with where things are in the implementation process are aware that we are right where we are supposed to be as we move toward our first "groundbreaking" in 2018.
What would you propose as ways to better keep the public attuned to the progress being made and to keep people "energized"?
I also agree that our "most important asset is our people." One aspect of economic development neither of us really addressed in our articles is the education of our citizenry for 21st-century jobs. According to the data from the Chamber of Commerce here, there are more than 3000 unfilled positions in our MSA, due primarily to the lack of appropriately trained workers.
What specifically do you suggest ought to be done educationally to enhance the preparation of our citizens for the present and future?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell response to Cliff
With respect to citizen input, my evidence comes from Hickory City Leadership three years ago, when they said, “they only wanted ‘positive people’ serving on the ‘Bond Commission’.” To me, the subsequent lack of energy after the voting process is because the vast majority of the people in the community don’t feel like they are a part of these projects. The evidence speaks for itself.
The critical thinking process nets the best results. They put the cart before the horse. It seems, city officials decided what they were going to do and created a process to implement it, instead of creating a process to decide what we needed to do to move our economy into modern realities.
Unfortunately, trust is not the default setting in our community, because of how we have been governed in the past. Where is the transparency website that we were promised (and the public paid for) right after this referendum was passed. Mayor Wright championed this and it should be done to honor him. Transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure plans are followed and builds trust.
With respect to the Chamber’s hypothetical jobs, that’s just the Chamber being the Chamber. Their job is to represent their shareholders, and that’s really local big businesses. Established big businesses want to say they aren’t hiring ‘because people aren’t qualified.’ If the demand were there, they would find a way to fill the positions. When BMW chose Greenville, neither they nor South Carolina officials said anything about workforce quality. They had 1,000 jobs, 60,000 people applied, and they filled ‘em.
How does it behoove us to constantly denigrate our workforce? Our History has shown the ability to train a workforce and have them be very productive. Over time, BMW has invested multi-millions of dollars in pre-employment training at Upstate South Carolina’s technical colleges. I know some local businesses are dabbling in that today, but if big business wants the rewards, then it is the responsibility of big business to make that investment. It is a company’s responsibility to train its workforce.
With regard to education, the responsibility of the public is to make sure that children have a solid foundation of fundamentals and to make sure adults can enhance themselves through libraries and public education and arts infrastructure. That’s one thing we’ve gotten right around here. Will we continue to make those investments? I certainly hope so.
I haven't stopped writing or having opinions related to the issues we have discussed here. Carmen Eckard started a magazine along about the time I stopped posting here. When I stopped posting here, I had already submitted my first content to the Foothills Digest. I asked Carmen for permission to post those quarterly articles here and she encouraged me to do so. People have encouraged me to get back on this site and get things goin' again. I never intended to stop posting. It just happened. I can't promise to deliver the prolific content of the past, but I will do my best to start posting again.
If you haven't checked out Carmen's magazine you should. It is awesome and that isn't just my biased opinion. It is an award winner -- The Foothills Digest
========================================
In our initial Fox and Hound article, Cliff Moone and Thom Shell give their viewpoints on Economic Development in our region. The focus of the article is on Economic Regeneration and how it is necessary for us to creatively reinvent who we are as we move forward through the 21st Century. Hickory, the largest city in the Northwest Foothills, is in many ways the Economic Hub and gateway of the region. The various communities of our region face the same issues. The loss of so much of our manufacturing base, changes in how we are now defined socio-economically and culturally, and how do we evolve to remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape. Hickory provides the backdrop for the debate about how best to move forward...
---------------------------------------------
(The Hickory Hound: Thom Shell Intro)
Since 2000, our region, here in Northwestern North Carolina has faced a great many economic challenges. We haven’t grown very much in population and the economy has never fully recovered from the hits it took following the implementation of several International Trade agreements at the start of the new century and the great financial crisis of 2008.
Our region is experiencing many of the pains that similar U.S. Industrial/Manufacturing cities have gone through in the present generation. “Legacy Cities,” as these communities are defined, relied on industrial production to provide their economic base. Unfortunately, they have seen their manufacturing capacity diminish greatly. As a result of the economic flux, these communities have seen reduced real estate property demand lead to diminished property values and in some cases abandonment. This has presented many challenges to municipal governments (and their resources), constraining their ability to deal with burgeoning economic and social predicaments.
But what should be understood is our region, and its various communities, has many assets that can be catalysts for regeneration; including vital downtown areas, stable and historic neighborhoods, transportation networks, educational assets, medical centers, and rich artistic and cultural resources. In regenerating our area, we must capitalize on these assets and relate their value, while renovating our local economic engine.
What’s First? We have to have a real plan!
In our regional corridor (Megalopolis), a true success story is Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina. Upstate South Carolina has seen many successes over the past 25 years related to its recruitment of BMW to build an automotive plant in the area. This has led to the formation of an “Economic Cluster” of automotive-related businesses. This did not occur through happenstance. Upstate South Carolina interests began exploring BMW recruitment possibilities years before it happened.
Upstate South Carolina leaders did not bemoan the lack of trained/experienced workforce and by all accounts, BMW did not care either. When the plant opened in 1994, 60,000 people had applied for 1,000 jobs. Since then, BMW has invested about $10 billion and created 9,000 direct jobs — not counting the indirect jobs related to automotive manufacturing. BMW has also invested in the local technical college system to enhance the concept of pre-employment training of potential workforce. The “halo effect” and positive publicity related to the BMW experience is something money could not buy.
In Hickory, $40 million in Bond Referendums were approved in 2014. The City Officials’ plan was pitched to businesses well before it was proposed to citizens. This plan had basically no input from Hickory’s citizenry. The subsequent years have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum election process and lacked the accomplishment of any meaningful transformative objectives.
We need input from the community’s people to develop a forward "Vision" and a strategy to implement it. The Vision’s goals need to be purposeful; not a rearranging of the status quo. An audit, assessing market realities, should be performed to develop a foundation for a rooted economic/financial plan that helps implement the Vision. The plan should take into account the area’s present residents and potential attracted newcomers. The plan should be creative, fundamentally sound, and have specific details about the elements that will lead to the expected outcome.
Plan objectives should be deliberated openly and honestly from all perspectives. Setting up transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure the plan is followed and builds trust. This leads to community buy-in and the support necessary to face difficult tasks head-on.
Like Greenville, plans and targeted investment are important; but much of what we need, money cannot buy. Our most important asset is our people.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Fox: Cliff Moone Intro
When you attend as many civic events as I do, you frequently hear presentations on economic development in the Hickory Metro Area. Eventually, you get the impression that the operating premise for economic development is “throw as many ideas as you can up against the wall and see what sticks.” I intentionally overstate, admitting I write not as an economist or economic development expert, but as an attentive citizen and dedicated promoter of the region for which Hickory is the hub. Still, from my perspective, the “throw it all against the wall and see what sticks or works” approach may be better than it sounds.
Clearly, any notion of economic development in all its facets is an exact science seems obviously flawed. Otherwise, most businesses wouldn’t fail within their first ten years; otherwise, we could predict precisely under what exact conditions recessions and expansions will occur; otherwise, successful economic development could be accomplished by formula. This is not to say that economic planners, economists, or even political leaders don’t have any knowledge or experience that applied appropriately won’t help spur successful economic growth.
Today, there’s an abundance of data regarding the conditions under which economic growth is most likely to occur. For example, we know tax policy can have a definite impact, so too, the regulations government places on businesses, whether to limit fraud or for consumer protection, so too, whether appropriate infrastructure is put in place. Additionally, incentives offered by state or local governments can influence economic development. But you don’t have to be an expert to know that no one of these or other “condition setters” is automatically determinative as an input to get the desired output of economic growth. Even something as nebulous as a positive, hopeful outlook versus a negative, “it can’t be done” outlook can make a difference.
Which brings me to the main point this non-expert, sixty-eight-year-old observer would like to suggest to the critics of the bond projects, the efforts of the area EDC, the Chamber of Commerce’s work in economic development, or the Hickory City Manager’s recently proposed vision to move our city and metro area forward from “recovery” to “prosperity”: When nobody has a “magic bullet,” a shotgun is a really good weapon of choice. When you need a multi-faceted, non-singular solution, no one aspect of any “plan” will bring you to the promised land. It takes a lot of ideas and a lot of folks trying many things to achieve success.
In the midst of the Great Depression, after over three years of waiting for recovery to just happen, a new President, FDR, initiated what he termed the “New Deal.” The operating principle of that New Deal was every idea is welcome and we’ll try anything and almost everything. We’ll keep what works and we’ll discard what doesn’t. It mostly worked, not everything, but despite what revisionist historians will assert, the New Deal approach lifted a country frozen in fear, defeat, and despondency back on its feet and on a path to economic recovery.
Most critics of the recent economic development proposals for the Hickory Metro Area I’ve encountered have argued something like “a City Walk or a River Walk won’t bring permanent, sustainable jobs.” Others have critiqued the 1764 Project as being too removed from Hickory or have critiqued some other specific piece of the plans being proposed. Others have suggested that the planning process itself has been out of order, diminishing the potential effectiveness for attracting new businesses.
These critiques have some merit. I suggest none I’ve heard are so crucially serious as to derail the potential success of what development professionals, business leaders, our political leaders, and the voters have envisioned and initiated. Admittedly, I’m an optimist, but notwithstanding that every plan, every vision has flaws, I remain excited and on board with our multi-faceted, “build it and they will come,” now is the time, better try something, and let’s see what sticks adventure toward a better economic future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell questions for Cliff
Cliff, I agree that Economics is an inexact science. Your proposal, the shotgun approach, is valid if the ideas process comes through a group of diverse individuals from different social and cultural backgrounds, but coming from an individual (or small, closed-circuit group), it reminds me of what we call in the restaurant business, “Winging It,” which is what we do when we aren’t prepared and we improvise to get through a moment.
I would like to ask: 1) Even if we do follow the shotgun approach, shouldn’t we set benchmarks and metrics to define a program’s success or failure? 2) Given that the people of the community are putting their full faith and trust in Community Leadership in this endeavor, isn’t part of the leadership role to define the “Vision” and its objectives? As a member of Hickory’s Bond Commission, here is your opportunity to tell us specifically what we are doing in all of this to bring about more jobs and increased prosperity in our area?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cliff Moone response to Thom
Thom, I generally agree with your description of what happened here since 2000. That's a pretty well-established history. I also concur with you about our assets and much of what you have to say about a "vision" and "plan."
Where we diverge in our views is when you start asserting that we have had "no input from citizens" on the Bond projects. First, we had and continue to have some public hearings and discussions at City Council before putting the Bond Referendum to a vote. Then the citizens voted. Since then, the Bond Implementation Commission has met at least quarterly (and subcommittees even more often) all of which were open to the public. The Commission itself (and its individual members) is a conduit of and for citizen input on an ongoing basis. Members of the Commission also serve limited terms so new members are often being added.
So, my question is what is your evidence that citizen input has been or is lacking in this aspect of our economic development plan?
Second, your comment about the projects now in process "have lacked the energy displayed in the referendum..." reflects a concern I, as a Commission member has voiced on several occasions. Despite some small efforts to keep the public informed about the progress of the projects, not enough has been or is being done in this area in my view. However, those who are well acquainted with where things are in the implementation process are aware that we are right where we are supposed to be as we move toward our first "groundbreaking" in 2018.
What would you propose as ways to better keep the public attuned to the progress being made and to keep people "energized"?
I also agree that our "most important asset is our people." One aspect of economic development neither of us really addressed in our articles is the education of our citizenry for 21st-century jobs. According to the data from the Chamber of Commerce here, there are more than 3000 unfilled positions in our MSA, due primarily to the lack of appropriately trained workers.
What specifically do you suggest ought to be done educationally to enhance the preparation of our citizens for the present and future?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thom Shell response to Cliff
With respect to citizen input, my evidence comes from Hickory City Leadership three years ago, when they said, “they only wanted ‘positive people’ serving on the ‘Bond Commission’.” To me, the subsequent lack of energy after the voting process is because the vast majority of the people in the community don’t feel like they are a part of these projects. The evidence speaks for itself.
The critical thinking process nets the best results. They put the cart before the horse. It seems, city officials decided what they were going to do and created a process to implement it, instead of creating a process to decide what we needed to do to move our economy into modern realities.
Unfortunately, trust is not the default setting in our community, because of how we have been governed in the past. Where is the transparency website that we were promised (and the public paid for) right after this referendum was passed. Mayor Wright championed this and it should be done to honor him. Transparency processes, accountability measures, and defined benchmarks ensure plans are followed and builds trust.
With respect to the Chamber’s hypothetical jobs, that’s just the Chamber being the Chamber. Their job is to represent their shareholders, and that’s really local big businesses. Established big businesses want to say they aren’t hiring ‘because people aren’t qualified.’ If the demand were there, they would find a way to fill the positions. When BMW chose Greenville, neither they nor South Carolina officials said anything about workforce quality. They had 1,000 jobs, 60,000 people applied, and they filled ‘em.
How does it behoove us to constantly denigrate our workforce? Our History has shown the ability to train a workforce and have them be very productive. Over time, BMW has invested multi-millions of dollars in pre-employment training at Upstate South Carolina’s technical colleges. I know some local businesses are dabbling in that today, but if big business wants the rewards, then it is the responsibility of big business to make that investment. It is a company’s responsibility to train its workforce.
With regard to education, the responsibility of the public is to make sure that children have a solid foundation of fundamentals and to make sure adults can enhance themselves through libraries and public education and arts infrastructure. That’s one thing we’ve gotten right around here. Will we continue to make those investments? I certainly hope so.
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