Economic Development
By DJ Hardy | August 21, 2009
Take a tour of our city and it quickly becomes clear to most folks that Greensboro is a place that has not fully freed itself from the bondage of institutionalized disparities. These disparities persist in several areas but one aspect that results in a tangible degradation and aesthetical decline is economic development.
Much of this decline is due to the double-digit unemployment figures our city has been unable to rescue itself from. Furthermore, even in relatively good times we still trend higher than other municipalities across our state and our nation. This is largely due to the cities collective inaction in making the south and eastern sides of Greensboro attractive places to do business. Unemployment among African-Americans nationally is well above 15% which is significantly higher than the national average. By inference, these statistics are reflected on the south and eastern parts of town which is where the large concentration of African-Americans in Greensboro currently live. Furthermore, these residents that are employed generally are unable to work or shop close to home.
We have lived out our imperfections through generations as both a nation and a city. However, now is such a time when the world stands on the verge of a transformative moment—one that strives not for simply equality but the much higher aim of balance. One serious way to remedy these imperfections is to provide more transparency which allows citizens greater access to the questions of why and how the city government operates and comes to the decisions it makes. This should not just be for uncontroversial or zoning matters. It should extend to any improprieties or questionable actions of city officials or employees that infringe or violate any citizens’ right to redress and justice.
We have a responsibility as a city to ensure everyone is given an adequate chance to unlock their natural-born gifts. With responsibility also comes the reward. As we open or extend opportunities more broadly across our city, we will be a more prosperous and inter-connected city. A more inter-connected city means a less waste and less bureaucracy, ensuring less dependency on tax revenue which is best suited in the hands of the people rather than the government.
We have substantial areas on the south and eastern parts of our city that could become sparks to ignite commercial activity and would serve to instill a perception of an engaged city in areas that need assistance. We should strive and can achieve a more balanced city with regards to economic development. We should start by revising our incentive program to new and established businesses and more aggressively seek to bring jobs to our struggling areas.
This would also go a long way in the City’s efforts to work towards extending the American dream to many who have been turned down previously or otherwise have become disenfranchised, and hence, removed from the exercise of active participation in ensuring our society and economy are more reflective of the potential inherent in democracy and free enterprise.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. We must remember that the house, our Greensboro, is what we make it. If we continue to pour privileges in places that are already receiving privilege while leaving others outside the gates, then we can never hope to fulfill the dream that has existed and been articulated in this nation and fought for here locally from its inception.
This new effort to bring substantial development to underserved, struggling areas of our city is not an effort to put a new face on an old area. Rather, this new effort will be to revive the current face and bring new energy, excitement, and vitality where it is lacking. Equality speaks more to a present situation or short-term result; while balance represents a more long-term description of fairness and stability. We can achieve a more balanced city in terms of economic development. It’s not going to be done by continuing to overload our City’s currently successful corridors with additional development, but by focusing on areas that have potential in waiting but currently rest in the shadow of our downtown skyline.
Certainly, these areas of our city with potential represent more risk; however, our greatest moments in the history of this country have come when regular folks have stared down immense odds without fear and with full courage and hope. For in the pursuit of justice and freedom one can never fail because the pursuit of justice is a freedom. This is the quest we drafted for ourselves as a nation in order to form a more perfect union. Not one that exists only at a national level, quite differently, the seeds of this nation rest in the neighborhoods and cities that we build and live in with one another. The strength of this nation depends on its foundation being strong. This is why we must commit to building and investing in one another regardless of race, color, creed, and other categories that we create to identify one another but these should no longer be what divides us or separates us from our City’s shared destiny of greatness.
Topics: Position Statements | 2 Comments »
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