The MSA populations in this analysis range from a high end of the nation's 11th largest market (Detroit, Michigan) 4,425,110 to a low end of (Holland-Grand Haven, Michigan) 259,210. Population growth, since 2000 shows that Holland, MI gained 8.77%, while Cleveland, OH lost 2.79% of its population. For the most part, the only MSAs that grew were the smaller MSAs. In these analyzes so far, we can see that population growth seems to greatly correlate with Economic growth. Hickory is not growing at the brisk pace we have seen in the past because of the lack of Economic Opportunity.
"The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. The full report can be downloaded here."
11 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI MSA Milken rank -200 Unemp = 14.9% Pop. 1,985,101 (Greater Detroit 4,425,110 - 2008 estimate)
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 86.71 Rank: 199
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 84.00 Rank: 199
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 79.11 Rank: 185
Population Growth since 2000 - -0.62%
Largest City – Detroit - In 2008 Detroit ranked as the United States' eleventh most populous city, with 912,062 residents
Higher Education
Ave Maria College (Ypsilanti), Cleary University (Ann Arbor and Howell), College for Creative Studies (Detroit), Concordia University (Ann Arbor), Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield Hills), Davenport University. Dorsey Business School, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti), Everest Academy (Clarkston, Michigan), Henry Ford Community College (Dearborn), Kettering University (Flint), Lawrence Technological University (Southfield), Macomb Community College (Warren and Clinton Township), Madonna University (Livonia), Marygrove College (Detroit), Michigan State University (Troy), Monroe County Community College (Monroe), Mott Community College (Flint), Northwood University, Oakland Community College, Oakland University (Rochester), Rochester College (Rochester Hills), Schoolcraft College (Livonia), Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts (Southfield), Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Detroit), SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary (Orchard Lake), University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit), University of Michigan, (Ann Arbor), University of Michigan–Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Auburn Hills), Walsh College of Accountancy and Business (Troy), Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor), Wayne County Community College, Wayne State University (Detroit)
Economy and Employers -
When the nearby Toledo Metropolitan Area and its commuters are taken into account, the region constitutes a much larger population center with an estimated 46 million people living within a 300-mile (480 km) radius of Detroit proper.
Metro Detroit has made Michigan's economy a leader in information technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing; Michigan ranks fourth nationally in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, including 70,000 in the automotive industry. In April 2008, metropolitan Detroit's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent; by April 2009, it rose to 13.6 percent during the recession.
In 2004, led by Metro Detroit, Michigan ranked second nationally in new corporate facilities and expansions. From 1997 to 2004, Michigan was the only state to top the 10,000 mark for the number of major new developments. [24] Metro Detroit is a leading corporate location with major office complexes such as the Renaissance Center, the Southfield Town Center, and Cadillac Place with the Fisher Building in the historic New Center area. Both BorgWarner and TRW Automotive Holdings chose Metro Detroit for their new headquarters. Quicken Loans, National City Bank, Ernst & Young, GMAC, Visteon, and OnStar are sources of growth. Compuware, IBM, Google, and Covansys are examples information technology and software companies with a headquarters or major presence in Metro Detroit. Electronic Data Systems (EDS) makes Metro Detroit its regional headquarters, and one of its largest global employment locations. The area is home to Rofin-Sinar, a leading maker of lasers. The metropolitan Detroit area has one of the nation's largest office markets with 147,082,003 square feet.[25] Virtually every major U.S company and many from around the globe have a presence in Metro Detroit. Chrysler's largest corporate facility is its U.S. headquarters and technology center in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills. Downtown Detroit reported $1.3 billion in restorations and new developments for 2006.
Public Transportation
Detroit People Mover, Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), and Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART).
*** Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI (Part of Detroit's metro) Milken rank -198 Unemp = 14..9% Pop. 2,482,290
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 90.61 Rank: 195
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 86.75 Rank: 196
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 76.96 Rank: 189
Population Growth since 2000 - n/a
Largest City – Warren (As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 138,247, making Warren the largest city in Macomb County, the third most populous city in Michigan, and Metro Detroit's largest suburb)
Higher Education
The south campus of Macomb Community College, Davenport University, The Warren Center for Central Michigan University.
Economy and Employers -
MSX International, Inc. is an international company with headquarters in Warren, MI. Their staff works in productive environments, improving their skills through training and development programs, and achieve personal growth through career advancement.
26 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH MSA Milken rank -193 Unemp = 10.0% Pop. 2,133,680
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 93.72 Rank: 188
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 81.32 Rank: 184
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 93.47 Rank: 133
Population Growth since 2000 - -2.79%
Largest City – Cleveland - As of the 2000 Census, the city proper had a total population of 478,403, and was then the 33rd largest city in the United States, (now estimated as the 40th largest due to declines in population) and the second largest city in Ohio
Higher Education
Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea), Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland), Cleveland College of Jewish Studies (Beachwood), Cleveland Institute of Art (Cleveland), Cleveland Institute of Music (Cleveland), Cleveland State University (Cleveland), Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, Highland Hills, and Parma), Hiram College (Hiram), John Carroll University (University Heights), Kent State University (Kent), Lake Erie College (Painesville), Lakeland Community College (Kirtland), Lorain County Community College (Elyria), Myers University (formerly Dyke College) (Cleveland), Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (Rootstown), Notre Dame College (South Euclid), Oberlin College (Oberlin), Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (Cleveland), University of Akron (Akron), Ursuline College (Pepper Pike), Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio)
Economy and Employers -
More than 37% of Fortune 500 companies are present in Northeast Ohio, through corporate headquarters, major divisions, subsidiaries, and sales offices. In addition, more than 150 international companies have a presence there. As of 2006[update], Northeast Ohio serves as the corporate headquarters of 25 Fortune 1000 firms.
(#112) Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (Akron, rubber), (#153) Progressive Insurance (Mayfield Village, insurance), (#184) FirstEnergy (Akron, utilities), (#210) Eaton Corporation (Cleveland, motor vehicle parts), (#213) National City Corporation (Cleveland, banking), (#279) Parker-Hannifin (Mayfield Heights, aerospace), (#311) Sherwin-Williams (Cleveland, paint), (#325) KeyCorp (Cleveland, banking), (#417) The Timken Company (Canton, specialty steel), (#486) Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, lubricants and chemicals), (#589) Nacco Industries (Cleveland, industrial equipment), (#671) Diebold (Green, electronics). (#674) PolyOne Corporation (Avon Lake, chemicals), (#678) RPM International (Medina, chemicals), (#704) Aleris International, Inc. (Beachwood, metals), (#765) The J.M. Smucker Co. (Orrville, food consumer products), (#825) American Greetings (Cleveland, greeting cards), (#839) Jo Ann Stores (Hudson, specialty retailer), (#846) Medical Mutual of Ohio (Cleveland, health insurance), (#878) Cleveland-Cliffs (Cleveland, mining and crude oil), (#888) Applied Industrial Technologies (Cleveland, bearings), (#922) Agilysis (Mayfield Heights, electronics), (#928) Lincoln Electric (Cleveland, arc welding equipment), (#955) Invacare (Elyria, medical products and equipment), (#995) A. Shulman (Akron, chemicals)
Other large employers include: Babcock & Wilcox (Barberton, engineering), Cafaro Corp (Youngstown, mall management and properties), Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, health care), Developers Diversified Realty Corporation (Beachwood, real estate development), DeBartolo-York Corp (Boardman Township, Youngstown, mall management and properties), Exal Corp Aluminum Production (Youngstown, metals), FirstMerit (Akron, banking), Forest City Enterprises (Cleveland, real estate development), Gojo (Akron, chemicals), Home Savings and Loan (Youngstown, banking), IMG (Cleveland, sports marketing and management), Jones Day (Cleveland, legal services), Roadway Express (Akron, logistics), University Hospitals of Cleveland (Cleveland, health care), InkStop, Inc. (Warrensville Hts., office products retailer)
Public Transportation
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority operates a bus system and heavy and light rail in Cuyahoga County. Other transit agencies serve the surrounding counties and provide connections with RTA, including Laketran in Lake County, Metro in Summit County, SARTA in Stark County, and Lorain County Transit in Lorain County.
66 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI MSA Milken rank -190 Unemp = 11.7% Pop. 776,740
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 94.66 Rank: 177
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 90.47 Rank: 188
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 80.54 Rank: 177
Population Growth since 2000 - +4.90%
Largest City – Grand Rapids (Pop. 193,396 as of 2008)
Higher Education
The city is also served for college by Grand Rapids Community College in downtown Grand Rapids. In Allendale, northwest of the city, is Grand Valley State University. Further universities can be found in Lansing, Big Rapids, and Kalamazoo. Also located in the immediate area is Hope College in Holland, Davenport University in Caledonia Township, Calvin College on the east side of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College also on the east side of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, along with Grace Bible College in the city as well.
As of 2006, there is an active movement among community leaders to have Michigan State University open a new medical school in Grand Rapids.[5]. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will expand into downtown Grand Rapids. The College of Human Medicine is one of three fully accredited four-year medical schools at MSU, along with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine. On April 21, 2008, the Secchia Center medical education building, a $90 million, seven-story, 180,000-square-foot (17,000 m2) facility, began construction at Michigan Street hill and Division Avenue.
Economy and Employers -
Grand Rapids has long been a center for furniture and automobile manufacturing; however, the presence of both industries has declined in the region along with manufacturing in general. American Seating, Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller, major manufacturers of office furniture, are based in the Grand Rapids area. The surrounding area is noted for its fruit production. Due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan the climate is considered prime for apple, peach, and blueberry farming.
More recently the city has had some success in developing and attracting businesses focusing on the health sciences, with facilities such as the Van Andel Research Institute (primarily focused on cancer research), Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (undergraduate and graduate health-related programs, doctorate program in Physical Therapy, upcoming Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)), and Michigan State University's new Grand Rapids based Medical School.
Public Transportation
Public bus transportation is provided by the Interurban Transit Partnership, which brands itself as The Rapid. Transportation is also provided by the DASH buses: the "Downtown Area Shuttle". These provide transportation to and from the parking lots in the city of Grand Rapids to various designated loading and unloading spots around the city.
79 Toledo, OH MSA Milken rank -194 Unemp = 13.1% Pop. 650,960
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 92.95 Rank: 189
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 91.71 Rank: 185
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 88.83 Rank: 153
Population Growth since 2000 - +0.05%
Largest City – Toledo (Pop. 316,851 as of 2007)
Higher Education
University of Toledo, Davis College, Lourdes College, University of Toledo Medical Center, Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Stautzenberger College, Toledo Academy of Beauty, Toledo Professional Skills Institute, Owens Community College, University of Findlay, Bowling Green State University, Terra Community College, Adrian College, The University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor and also several other smaller institutes.
Economy and Employers -
Historically, before the industrial revolution, Toledo was a port city on the Great Lakes. But with the advent of the automobile, the city became best known for industrial manufacturing, although these industries have declined considerably in past decades. Both General Motors and Chrysler have factories in metropolitan Toledo, and automobile manufacturing has been important at least since Kirk[21] began operations early in the 20th Century. The city is home to two Fortune 500 companies: Dana Corporation and Owens Corning. Another Fortune 500 company, formerly located at One SeaGate, is Owens-Illinois. O-I has recently relocated to suburban Perrysburg. One SeaGate is currently the location of Fifth-Third Bank's Northwest Ohio headquarters. HCR Manor Care is an up and coming Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Toledo. Though the largest employer in Toledo was Jeep for much of the 20th century, this honor has recently gone to the University of Toledo. Manufacturing as a whole now employs fewer Toledoans than does the healthcare industry, now the city's biggest employer
106 Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA Milken rank -196 Unemp = 11.3% Pop. 456,440
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 90.06 Rank: 196
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 91.61 Rank: 183
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 76.53 Rank: 190
Population Growth since 2000 - +1.92%
Largest City – Lansing - As of the July 1, 2008 Census Bureau estimate, it has a population of 113,968
Higher Education
Michigan State University, The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University (branch campus in Delta Township), Davenport University, Central Michigan University (branch campus), and Great Lakes Christian College
Economy and Employers -
The Lansing metropolitan area's major industries are government, education, insurance, healthcare, and automobile manufacturing. Being the state capital, many state government workers reside in the area.
The recent decline of the auto industry in the region has increased the region's awareness of the importance of a strategy to foster the high-technology sector.
* An initiative called Prima Civitas, created by Michigan State University, in cooperation with the cities of Lansing and East Lansing, under the direction of former Lansing mayor David Hollister, is spearheading focused economic development in the technology sector in the region.
* Early availability of high-speed Internet in 1996, as well as the MSU, Cooley Law School, and LCC student population, fostered an intellectual environment for information technology companies to incubate.
Lansing has a number of technology companies in the fields of information technology and biotechnology.
* Neogen Corporation is an international food and animal safety company headquartered in Lansing. Neogen develops and manufactures among other things, diagnostic kits, equine vaccines and culture media.[24]
* Emergent BioSolutions is an international biopharmaceutical company that maintains significant operations in Lansing. Emergent BioSolutions is developing an array of biodefense and commercial products and currently manufactures the only FDA approved anthrax vaccine at its Lansing operations.[25] In March 2009 Emergent announced another $10.9 million investment in its Lansing facility and is adding 93 new employees.[26]
* TechSmith Corporation is located just outside Lansing and is the world's leading provider of screen capture and recording software for individual and professional use.[27]
* Liquid Web, Inc. is a web hosting company located in neighboring Delta Township, and operates two datacenters there.[28]
* Niowave is a high-tech company in Lansing that makes parts for superconducting particle accelerators.
* ACD.net is an independent company in Lansing that provides high-speed Internet service, Web hosting, telephone service and data storage to more than 20,000 customers across Michigan.
* IBM announced in January 2009 that it was opening its first U.S. programming center in the former MSU Federal Credit Union headquarters in East Lansing for application software for governments, universities, etc.
Public Transportation
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides public transit bus service to the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan area on 33 routes. CATA boasts the second highest ridership in the state of Michigan after Detroit with 53,000 daily rides in September 2008 and 11,306,339 rides in fiscal year 2008.
111 Flint, MI MSA Milken rank -195 Unemp = 16.5% Pop. 434,720
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 87.61 Rank: 198
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 82.55 Rank: 200
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 78.20 Rank: 186
Population Growth since 2000 - -0.33%
Largest City – Flint - As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 124,943
Higher Education
University of Michigan–Flint, Kettering University (formerly known as GMI for General Motors Institute), Baker College, Mott Community College, Davenport University
Economy and Employers -
Flint is most known for being the birthplace of the General Motors Corporation. It has also become a symbol of the decline in the auto industry. The headquarters of Citizens Republic Bancorp. The last decade has opened on the final stages of large-scale General Motors deindustrialization. By 2002 Flint had accrued a $35 million debt. Unable to pay this and balance its budget, the state of Michigan placed the city into receivership late that year, with a financial manager effectively replacing acting mayor, City Administrator Darnell Earley. In 2004, local control was resumed and has maintained a balanced budget since.
In 2004, General Motors made multi-million dollar upgrades to three Flint factories: Flint Truck and Bus Assembly, Flint Metal Center, and Flint Engine South. Recent developments have also assured the operation of Delphi Flint East beyond 2007. Included in the proposed 2007 UAW-GM contract, a new engine plant will be built near Powertrain Flint North to begin production in 2011, replacing the current factory, which is scheduled to end production of the 3800 engine in 2008.
Delphi Automotive, Genesys Health System, McClaren Medical Center, Hurley Medical Center, Meijers (3 Retail Stores)
Public Transportation
For travel within and around the city, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) provides local bus services.
120 Canton-Massillon, OH MSA Milken rank -197 Unemp = 11.3% Pop. 407,180
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 989.90 Rank: 197
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 87.07 Rank: 194
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 74.08 Rank: 193
Population Growth since 2000 - +5.46%
Largest City – Hickory (according to a 2008 census estimate, the population has declined to 78,362)
Higher Education
Malone University, a private, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, is located on 25th St. N.W. Catholic-run Walsh University is located nearby in North Canton. Stark State College and a branch of Kent State University are also nearby, in Jackson Township. Also, in downtown Canton, there is a small annex for Stark State College to be used by the Early College High School students who attend Timken High School. The current principal is Valarie Pack.
Economy and Employers -
The Canton area's economy is primarily industrial, with a significant agricultural segment. The city is home to the Timken Company, a major manufacturer of tapered roller bearings and specialty steel. Several other large companies operate in the greater-Canton area, including are Belden Brick Company (brick and masonry producer) and Diebold (ATMs, electronic voting devices, and bank vaults). The area is also home to several regional food producers, including Nickles Bakery (baked goods), Park Farms (poultry) and Shearers (snack foods). Poultry production and dairy farming are also important segments of the Canton-area economy.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is provided by the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA).
138 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Milken rank -191 Unemp = 15.4% Pop. 360,471
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 91.09 Rank: 193
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 86.91 Rank: 195
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 93.90 Rank: 130
Population Growth since 2000 - +5.46%
Largest City – Hickory (Pop. 42,000)
Higher Education – Lenoir-Rhyne University, Appalachian State – Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Western Piedmont Community College
Economy and Employers -
The Hickory area is home to many leading manufacturers of furniture (before most jobs in that industry were shipped over to China) and fiber optic cable. It is estimated that 60% of the nation's furniture used to be produced within a 200-mile (320 km) radius of Hickory. Forty percent of the world's fiber optic cable is made in the Hickory area. Lenoir is the headquarters of Broyhill Furniture company, one of the largest furniture companies in the United States and part of Furniture Brands International. It has historically been one of the town's largest employers. The Bernhardt and Fairfield furniture companies are also located in Lenoir. However, in the 1990s, these companies began outsourcing their work overseas, and they have closed many of Lenoir's furniture factories and laid off workers, causing many local businesses either to close or move to other cities. This has harmed the economy in Lenoir, leaving many households living below the poverty line.Google, Inc. has commenced construction of and opened a server farm in Lenoir. The move, it is hoped, will boost the local economy and provide much-needed jobs for the area, which has been harmed by outsourcing of furniture manufacturing jobs overseas.
141 Ann Arbor, MI MSA Milken rank -192 Unemp = 9.1% Pop. 350,003
5-yr Job Growth(02-06) 91.45 Rank: 192
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 93.05 Rank: 176
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 75.52 Rank: 191
Population Growth since 2000 - +8.44%
Largest City - Ann Arbor (7th largest city in Michigan, Pop. 114,024 as of the 2000 Census)
Higher Education
University of Michigan, Concordia University - Ann Arbor, a campus of the University of Phoenix, and Cleary University, Washtenaw Community College , Eastern Michigan University. Ave Maria School of Law
Economy and Employers –
The University of Michigan shapes Ann Arbor's economy significantly. It employs about 30,000 workers, including about 7,500 in the medical center. Other employers are drawn to the area by the university's research and development money, and by its graduates. High tech, health services and biotechnology are other major components of the city's economy; numerous medical offices, laboratories, and associated companies are located in the city.
Public Transportation - The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), which brands itself as "The Ride", operates public bus services throughout Ann Arbor and nearby Ypsilanti.
171 Holland-Grand Haven, MI MSA Milken rank -199 Unemp = 12.9% Pop. 259,210
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 94.66 Rank: 177
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 90.47 Rank: 195
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 80.54 Rank: 188
Population Growth since 2000 - +8.77%
Largest City – Holland (the 2008 census estimate placing the population at 34,076)
Higher Education
Hope College, a private four-year liberal arts college, Western Theological Seminary a graduate and professional school, Western Michigan University has a branch campus in Holland. Grand Valley State University has a campus in Holland. Davenport University has a Regional campus in Holland
Economy and Employers -
Grand Haven has been a technology leader in West Michigan and throughout the country having been featured in the national media. The city holds the title as first municipality in the country to feature a city-wide wireless internet service. The wireless service is designed to work throughout the city and up to 15 miles (24 km) offshore for boaters. In 2004, the city started offering wireless internet service every day to residents, businesses and visitors.
The Hound sees more evidence that Hickory's problems are not everyone else's fault.
Look at where 10 out of the 11 worst performing cities are located. They are all centered around Detroit, Michigan and the automobile industry (shown in the map above). You can't say that these Michigan and Northern Ohio numbers are a recent phenomena in the the Auto Industry, because the rating scores are developed over five years. Maybe if we look at what has caused the collapse of the United States Automobile Industry and the lack of action by these local governments in Michigan and Ohio, then we will see a correlation between what has happened there and what is happening in the Hickory Metro.
What is more than clear is that our city's statistics show very little relation to what is happening to the vast majority of cities in the Southeast. The only city close to us, in the bottom 25, is Spartanburg, South Carolina (#183). The only other city in our region, in the bottom 50 is Columbus, Georgia. The previous article Hickory Metro's Economy versus North Carolina MSAs showed that our city is by far the worst in our own state and I explained my thoughts on what is causing our current circumstances in relation to our State.
For a city and MSA of our size, we have a lot to offer. I really don't think education, or lack there of, is the problem in our city. Five of the MSAs above (Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Lansing, and Ann Arbor) have major universities and other higher education institutions in their area. All but one of those MSAs (Ann Arbor) is suffering from double-digit unemployment.
I think that all of the areas above have problems when it comes to economic resiliency. In my opinion, we are fortunate that we don't have the problems with Unions and the lack of adaptability built into a Corporate Bureaucracy that is brought about by Unions. That should help us bounce back if the manufacturing sector of our economy were to ever evolve towards high-tech industry. The issue that we face is that many of our local Unifour employees have not been task flexible. They were basically taught "on-the-job" about specific tasks and not challenged to invest in their personal Human Capital. We have to instill an attitude amongst businesses and employees that they must constantly educate and train themselves in an ever-changing technical environment. The workforce is going to have to be flexible and willing and able to multi-task. This will increase employee value to employers in the area.
Small business will be where the majority of our area's jobs are going to come from in the future. Like these Industrial Automobile Economies in the Midwest, our local mindset has been too oriented towards the status quo, too conservative towards policy, and risk averse towards change. The auto crisis is the result of years of corporate-controlled government manipulation. Some people believe that the same mindset occurred in Hickory from the late 1990s until 2008. By the the time our local officials reluctantly admitted to the realization that we were going down the wrong path, it was too late to stop the train wreck of consequences we are now facing. In my opinion, they still haven't fully confessed and that confession is the first step towards solving our economic problems.
We must have local officials who will apply common sense principals toward policies of economic growth. Without good jobs, we cannot have a prosperous and vibrant community. We cannot have the cultural amenities that our privileged class covets. I do agree that businesses should be personally responsible towards setting a positive image for our community. If our local officials are fair and consistent when administrating policy, then businesses should adhere to the guidelines. Together everyone has a role to play in the collaborative process.
I believe that there has to be cooperation between businesses and local government. I also believe that in the past Hickory has seen a commercial environment that pitted government and business in roles as adversaries. This held our area back even in good times. In the end, both entities must work together for the good of our community and its inhabitants. Lately, I have heard communication that has me hopeful that we are taking the first steps towards a new era of cooperation. But in the end, it is actions that will count, isn't it?
