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Area leaders gather to brainstorm ideas for growth
BLOUNTVILLE — Regional leaders representing business and industry, government, nonprofits and economic development organizations gathered at Northeast State Community College Thursday to share ideas on how the region can respond to current economic challenges and position itself for future growth.
“I think all of us have either been impacted directly or indirectly by the downturn,” said Beulah Ferguson, with the First Tennessee Development District, which hosted the meeting. “And we’ve all had to adjust how we do business.”
Ferguson asked attendees to consider three approaches to the economic crisis: Wait it out, build on what we’ve got, or create new strengths.
Attendees brainstormed about the pros and cons of each approach, agreeing that the first approach — to wait it out — carries too many negatives to be a viable option.
The second approach — building on what the community already has — carries both pros and cons. On the positive side, the approach allows a community to grow from its strengths, promotes business retention and expansion, and promotes self-sufficiency, attendees said.
On the flip side, that approach stifles creativity and innovation, and can create tunnel vision for a region, possibly leading to missed opportunities, attendees said.
The third option — creating new strengths — also carries pros and cons, attendees agreed. On the positive side, the approach helps communities stay competitive by focusing on new opportunities, research and development, and accessing new markets. It also encourages entrepreneurship and creates enthusiasm for new challenges, attendees said.
On the negative side, the approach can come with high cost and high risk, and a community’s work force may not be prepared for the challenges.
Attendees said the region has many positive attributes that can attract high-growth industries. Those attributes include quality of life, moderate climate, good health care, low cost of living, low crime, good infrastructure, a good educational system, and a stable work force with a good work ethic.
For businesses already here, the region offers various services to help them bridge the gap until the economy recovers, attendees said. Those resources include the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Holston Business Development Center, Tennessee Small Business Development Center, local chambers of commerce, Service Corps of Retired Executives, and faith-based organizations.
Some attendees said the state’s regulatory environment could be made more friendly for businesses, and the state needs an incentives program to help attract new industries.
Attendees said more emphasis should be placed on buying products made locally.
And more could be done to help young people prepare for jobs of the future, attendees said.
Gary Mabrey with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce suggested holding career fairs not only for eighth-graders but also for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students.
“The key for us — will the résumé of a student graduating from Science Hill or D-B (Dobyns-Bennett High School) — how will it compare with a résumé from a student graduating from Germany who’s applying for a job at the new VW plant?” Mabrey asked.
“We are in a new world,” said Jill Salyers with the United Way of Greater Kingsport. “Things have changed rapidly over the last decade, and if we’re not prepared to move forward, we’re going to get lost.”
The meeting was hosted by the First Tennessee Development District, which will share information gathered in the session with the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. The institute will summarize the information from forums held across the state and share the results with the Southern Growth Policies Board and economic development organizations in Tennessee.
The final report will be discussed at the Southern Growth Policies Board annual conference in June.
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Russell, you are unfortunately correct.
Did they really do BRAINSTORMING? Hey People The answer at top of LIST
1. OBAMA
2.Congress
3. etc.
Your biggest problem is brain drain. No young person wants to stay in this area. We have either old people or doctors for the old people.