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What is this?
Are we betting on the wrong horse, in the wrong race?
Published Sunday, August 9, 2009
The recent industrial announcements certainly have put about as optimistic spin as possible on the current state of employment in Dallas County. The announcements that Meadowcraft was indeed sold [instead of liquidated], that Hanil E Hwa had purchased a building for expansion and that ground had been broken on a new “green” industry that could possibly employ 130 people took somewhat of an edge off the recent report that Dallas County was suffering from 20 percent unemployment — the second highest in the state.
Industrial recruitment is important to Dallas County, no doubt. And we have to take the “wins” where we can get them. But as I heard in a recent EDA meeting, the majority of the industrial candidates we get are entrepreneural in nature. In other words, don’t expect a Hyundai, Kia or some other major industry to land in our backyard.
There are many opinions why this is the reality [or challenge] we face. Some say it’s a lack of a qualified workforce. Others speculate that because we have a Republican governor that the Alabama Development Office won’t steer major projects here — or in some cases steers them away from here. Still others say it’s due to poor leadership.
I say it’s because we’re focused on the wrong thing. My contention is that industrial growth isn’t going to be the engine that drives this county forward or the answer to the unemployment and quality of life issues we face. Industrial development certainly plays a role, but it’s dwarfed by the potential of another engine of growth that is grossly underdeveloped. Tourism.
According to an April 2009 report from the Alabama Department of Tourism, in 2008 1,115 jobs in Dallas County were directly related to tourism. And while the growth rate over 2007 was a mere .4 percent, no other contiguous county experienced growth of jobs related to tourism. As a matter of fact, tourism job growth statewide fell.
Putting the tourism factor into dollars and “sense,” Dallas County experienced a 3 percent gain in tourism related earnings [direct and indirect] with the county raking in $36.9 million in 2008, up from $34 million in 2006. Lodging tax also experienced measurable gains from $245,000 in 2006 to $272,000 in 2008 — a 7 percent increase.
Consider for a moment what those numbers could be if the tangible tourism assets this community has in place were fully developed. What could be achieved if a “rifle shot focus” were placed on fully developing the proposed river walk, which is long on vision and short on cash. Or the historic buildings that are crumbling around us that have vast historical tourism potential. Or the Alabama River, rich in recreational promise, but like many promises remains unfulfilled.
There is not one person or group of people that is responsible or has the capacity to change the focus in this area. It’s going to take all of us. And a good place to start is by cleaning this city up so when visitors do come to spend their hard earned money, they aren’t visually appalled by the sight of trashy streets, broken windows, graffiti-covered walls, unkempt grass in the medians and property owners who defy city ordinances related to maintenance.
Until this city, this community gets serious about focusing on what really does have the potential to change things for the better, it will never get done. And when it doesn’t get done, we’ll have nobody to blame but ourselves.
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Comments
Posted by imclean (anonymous) on August 9, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Mr. Palmer on a change of focus but will offer my opinion on the tourism industry and the numbers which are being used by the Ala. Dept.of Tourism.
Because of the Federal Government actions for the past 15 years, industry has gone where the cheap labor is. Selma was one of those places at one time. Having been with a major Alabama corporation 17 years ago I talked to numerous industry heads who would have come to the Black Belt in hopes of setting up an industry, only to learn of the numerous law suits brought about a one certain lawfirm. Everyone can bury their heads in the sand but that is a major equation in attracting Industry. Governor Haley Barbor (R) of Mississippi had his State Legislature (mostly Democrat) get behind him on a tort reform bill and within minutes of signing the Bill Mississippi had 20 industries in line to start business.
On the "tourism number" offered by the Alabama Tourism Office, lodging tax is determined by more than site seeing tourist. Only on the Gulf Coast, major convention Cities, State Parks, and recreational events does tourism generate and affect the lodging tax in significan numbers. Looking at Historic sites hasn't been proven to attract but a handful of anyone. The vast majority in the past of those paying lodging tax are traveling business salesmen, business seminars, those attending weddings and funerals, and Civic Club meetings. An answer is to use some of our State funds being used for tourism to put together a team of trained people to lobby for tort reform. You have to have money to do anything, and before you can clean up your infrastructe you better have businesss in place to pay the taxes to hire enough police for protection so businesses can operate and fix up their property, police protection so the travelers can be safe, and so there are qualified industry hunters can offer prospects the best incentives they can use to get them here.
Yes, Public Safety is at the top of my list. My own children, who were raised here, are scared to come to Selma after reading the number of major crimes committed here.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on August 10, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Imclean: Now, YOUR on the right track. What type of visitor is motivated to visit Selma? Selma has only so many grandmas that can die to bring visitors to Selma, and there are only so many "freedom rider"wanntabees out there. Identify the ones that are coming and expand on that. Don't just assume that the visitors want to sit on the river bank and stare at Selmont.popdukes12
Posted by say_what (anonymous) on August 11, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Visitors come to Selma from all over the world...did you know that? Often by the buss load. They come here not just to pay respects to their grandmas, but to experience the rich history, attractions, and events that Selma has to offer. There are many people working very hard (both paid and volunteer) to make their experience a good one. So a cleaner, safer Selma will create more attractions which attract more tourists, which creates more revenue. It's a win, win.
Personally, I would like a full blown campaign on litter control: billboards, TV and radio ads, parents and teachers and the STJ...
It would help a lot. Tort reform?...yep, sounds like a good idea, too. And frankly, I feel safer here than in the "big city" where gangs and violence prevail.
Posted by potential_is_here (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.cnbc.com/id/28112603?slide=1
check out this slide show that shows the photos of the FROMMERS 12 top destinations in the world for 2009....guess what? The Selma to Montgomery trail is one...one out of TWELVE IN THE WORLD! Yeah people come to see us, as "say_what" said "by the bus loads", but they can't even buy a cup of coffee when they get here. There is money to be made here in Selma through Tourism. LET'S WAKE UP and see our potential!
Posted by Selma (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tourism is an under tapped industry is Selma, but it will not provide the level of income for families to have a decent quality of life. Selma needs to attract economic development and manufactures. In order to do this Selma must change its image. We must take our heads out of the sand and realize that the values that we hold dear are wrong and counterproductive. The civil war and civil rights era were very important to the change in direction for the country, but Selma continued down the same dead end path.
Selma can not afford a segregated school system. We have diluted the talents and competitiveness of our youth and young adults. We have refused to allow them to think outside of the box. We have stifled their creativity. Just as importantly, this county is too small to sustain a city and county school system. The county has less than 50,000 residents yet we pay two superintendents, two boards of education, and maintain two administrative budgets. To me this makes no sense. So based on economics, is it reasonable for Selma and Dallas County to provide two school systems?
Most of our children go off to college and get a higher education. A review of the census data will show that the secondary and post secondary educational attainment of the residents in Selma is comparative to most other counties in Alabama, however because of the inability to find employment in the chosen field of profession; most college graduates relocate to other progressive cities. Additionally, Selma has two colleges with the ability to produce a highly skilled workforce. An assessment of the industries in Selma must be conducted to determine the entry level skills expected. The colleges can use this information to modify or expand its curriculum.
Selma is boring. There is nothing to do outside of go to work, church, and school. This is not a retirement community, and we therefore should not act like after 5 o'clock everybody puts on their stocking cap and go to bed. Crime in Selma is not as bad as it is portrayed. While any crime is too high, comparative to other cities, Selma's crime is petty. We do not have a problem going to Montgomery or Birmingham to shop or eat, and on any football weekend you will see a line of cars headed to the stadium of our Alma Mater. Many of these cities have very high crime rate. What about the crime there? So Selma need the commitment and support of it residents who profess to love her.
Leadership in Selma must be visionary, progressive, innovative, and persistent. Leeds Alabama just got a multi million dollar shopping center. Come-on, Selma must do better. We must get people in office and positions that are committed to the redevelopment of Selma and her citizens. Selma needs tourism, but tourism is not the sole answer for our economic problems. Oh we need the I-85 corridor to come through Selma. Is this idea still on the table?
Posted by renigade (anonymous) on August 22, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said Selma!!! It's good to see their is someone left who has a clear vision of the problem. "Leadership in Selma must be visionary ,progressive, innovative and persistant."This reminds me of an old song " Oh where have all the good guy's gone it's a long time passing." I "Slaute" you Selma, I couldn't have said it better myself. Stay the course.
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