Everyone has a role to play in building and maintaining their community. The actions of every citizen play a role in economic development, but to get the right message across to industry we need an economic development leader.
An optimistic, resilient manager who has visions and who sets the course. And follow this course, immune to adversity, politics, good times and bad. A leader who focuses on making gains for the community rather than themselves.
Our leader is the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.
The EMBDC has existed under various names for over 60 years. It is an organization of business people and citizens who want our economy to grow. Why should companies want to see more companies in their community? The office supply company will sell more paper, the insurance agent will sell more insurance, and the broker will sell more houses. And you and I will have better job opportunities.
Everyone thinks they know how to make economic development happen. You are wrong. The economic development is brutal. Successful economic development takes years. Efforts must have significant resources and flexibility, be creative, bring together different groups, be energetic, intelligent and networked. And undeterred by adversity. Economic development solves one problem at a time by finding the right solutions, the right people, the right places, and happiness. I "played on" the economic development of the airport. I am so grateful that we have the EMBDC to do this in real life.
Economic development occurs when a spirit of inclusion delivers the best that the industry community has to offer. The EMBDC does this. It happens when the community speaks with one voice and pulls in one direction. The EMBDC leads this. It happens when a community admits its mistakes and works to fix them. The EMBDC does this.
The EMBDC budget is less than 1/3 that of most churches our size. Their workforce is far fewer than in most communities our size. Still, they produce a great product and have made tremendous strides in organizing our community. Do you want the cheapest economic development that you can get or the best that you can afford? It is time to step up funding for the EMBDC.
Are you contributing to economic development? Your part is as simple as being a good citizen. Don't accept mediocrity. Do not assign blame. Take responsibility and try to make a difference. Report crime, hold leaders accountable with constructive contributions, challenge your community to do better. As an employee, you should do your best to build the company you work with and create better opportunities for yourself. And we should all speak well about our community and work to make it better.
Many may wonder how their actions make a difference. A few years ago I had the opportunity to present Meridian Regional Airport to an airline president. I got this opportunity because he was having car problems while on a family vacation on the Meridian Interstate. A local mechanic responded and went the extra mile to help and get him back on his vacation. He fondly remembered it and it was an opportunity to meet and discuss air traffic.
I urge you to do your part. Be a good citizen. Support the EMBDC. And remember, what you do and what you say is important.
Tom Williams is President of the Meridian Airport Authority. The agency has 62 employees and annual sales of $ 13.8 million, of which over $ 12 million is from outside of East Mississippi.
source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/07/31/are-you-doing-your-part-for-economic-development/
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