By: Dale G. Henderson P.Eng
September 2009
“Where there is no Vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18)
It’s time we start to formulate a Vision for the City. One former London Economic Development Officer described his department’s mandate as “Creating jobs for your kids”. Correct! Job creation is the number one job for any public leader in the coming decade and requires a new Vision for promoting activity for the masses. To be successful, you must have participation from the grass root population. Top down spending of tax money is a certain failure of our children’s inheritance and job futures. New job growth requires the new math ie; 1+1=3. This is thinking outside the box.
The old adage, if you are lost in the jungle you don’t contact the closest University consultant for help, but ask the experienced jungle inhabitant that knows the way.
Market Driven Entrepreneurs with small and big business experience is the new ticket to ride. Today, this is not a popular profession because the job does not pay well at first, has no pension or health care perks and doesn’t need a $1000 suit to be successful.
At the turn of the century, ten years ago, London was in a crisis situation. All the pinnacles of London business power were either being sold or leaving town -namely, The London Free Press, CFPL TV & Radio, Westinghouse, Labatt, London Life, McCormicks, O Pee Chee, X-Cell-O, Northern Telecom, General Motors, etc. Four hundred and fifty London business professionals united through the Advanced London initiative to form the London Economic Development Corporation and subsequently the High Tech Alliance community reorganized the London High Technology Association for job creation. By checking the City of London job growth statistics, construction spending, tax revenue and assessment base increases during this five year rapid City growth, coupled with City Fathers expediting the planning and building red tape procedure, it will show the growth surpassing the earlier twenty year time frame figures. A growing City is beneficial to all.
Seasoned readers may remember this Dale’s View column as part of the London Free Press Saturday full page article, donated by the editor, to the London Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and Advance London to encourage community discussion on economic development topics.
Here we go again. This is the first of a series of Vision examples that will hopefully create discussion on job creation opportunities to move the City forward. Subjects include: Arts & Entertainment, Public transportation, Convention Centre, Economic Development Plans, City Tourism and Performing Art Centre myths will be proposed for dialogue. Many ideas come from my close Economic Development Advisor and my literary genius, Casper. Local stories about people doing important things will be examined.
Stay tuned, I think we will have some fun!
Email: dalehview@gmail.com
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