Sometimes Our Dollars Vote Loudest - 780

Sometimes Our Dollars Vote Loudest - 780

I have had dozens of conversations with business folks who, like us, have supported three or more Chambers of Commerce to uphold our region. This year, we have decided to support our local Chamber and invest only in regional initiatives that might be started through regional efforts like the Chambers 3 process, H.O.T. is a good example. This month we have provided a full-page (see page---) to promote the upcoming H.O.T. Charrette (Public Meeting).

Over the last months we have showcased the opinions of many leaders about the state of our community. Most all have agreed that if there was one guaranteed solution, one fire starter that could reverse the status quo, it would be a consolidated Chamber of Commerce. We would support a consolidated Chamber (with a higher member fee) that brings board input, communication, and ideas together each month for a regional vision. People who co-labor together will also think of others interest and not just their own.
So many point their finger at the Airport as the problem or why would Winston build a Coliseum when the Greensboro facility was under utilized. Or why should we care about the Furniture Market or the Golf tournament, “that’s their problem”. Sometimes these are actual comments; mostly they are stated under breath or with “no comment” and certainly no finger lifting to help. With these attitudes, our community will continue to be out paced by other cities that have a common vision.

H.O.T. could be the kindling that gets things going. In June or July the H.O.T. process will need new and renewable funding. They will have a land use plan in hand and hundreds of dream ideas, all with a regional focus and a Guilford/Forsyth footprint. I encourage each Chamber board representative to consider the benefits of joining hands, maybe through the Chamber 3 process. Think what a H.O.T. Triad could be like. A thriving cooperative business community finding new partners and customers right over the county lines, a group working together to beat Las Vegas at their own game, building a new PGA stadium course near the county line with a destination Marriott complex, home of the Carolina H.O.T. Classic and more. Tiger shows up because Richard Petty invites him for a ride of a lifetime. Hundreds of new companies coming because they like to live in a smaller town yet do business in a top 30 MSA. Envision a bullet monorail carrying vacationers and workers alike quickly to each city and eventually to Raleigh, Charlotte, and Asheville from the H.O.T. Center Station.

All this and much more is just waiting for that tipping point, that moment when a few risk takers turn up the heat and then…. It’s HOT.

Here are more sound bites from local leaders –

People have talked about regionalism but they could not act on it. H.O.T. gives us an opportunity to act. Local governments must take their appropriate roles and by-in along with the business community. We, in Winston Salem, know how important the furniture market is to our region – Chuck Greene, Bell South, Winston Salem

We have been a Triad in geography only. When the three cities realize that there is truly mutual benefit to be gained by cooperating, as we saw with Dell, then the Triad will become a regional force and attract more major businesses. – Joe Carroll, Furniture Today – High Point

We have made great strides. The key to moving forward is backing regional activities like I-74 and I-73, FedEx, GTCC and Forsyth Tech. With victories wherever they locate, success is shared, even if the adjoining county gets the deal. – Bob Leak, Winston Salem Business, Inc. – Winston Salem

In Greensboro, we can’t get the respect we deserve because we can’t muster a consistent voice and a long term vision. We tend to know where Winston and High Point are going but we don’t have our act together. Development and site selection folks must wonder how to approach Greensboro and the Triad. – Mike Bumpass, Greensboro Merchants Association

We are too focused on the tree instead of the forest and therefore leave the full pie behind. We tend to be too focused on where we are instead of where we should go. Envision our progress if Chamber board members could meet and communicate regularly. Friendships would result, then business and then vision. – Lida Hayes-Calvert – S & L Printing – Winston Salem

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