suggested by Life in Eureka Springs "If you could change one thing about the town you live in, what would it be?"
This prompt is easy, although I will apologize ahead of time if you find me standing precariously on a soapbox, balanced on one toe while stretching to see everyone between me and the horizon. I want to make sure no ears miss my message.
Welcome to Macon County, Tennessee, estimated population 22,000 people.
Home to friendly people, lots of livestock, farmland as far as the eye can see, and a lifestyle that is focused on family, friends, and hard-work, but this town is dying.
This county was once home to numerous companies who manufactured such things as clothing, automobile parts, and furniture. Now, the ghosts of forgotten factories sit in the industrial park while the people who call Macon County home drive to places like Gallatin, Portland, or Lebanon for work. More and more people are packing up each year to move closer to their jobs because they just can’t afford the gas or the time on the road. Why? Why has this county gotten to the point that the majority of it’s residents have to drive somewhere else for work? So many have given up on finding work that is within an acceptable distance and they’ve turned to welfare to provide for their families. Parents should not be put in the position of thinking welfare is an acceptable option. County leaders – fix it!
We need industry in this county, and not just of the manufacturing variety. Sure, we have Fleetwood and Nestle Waters and Walmart, but how often do you hear of them hiring anyone – at least anyone who doesn’t already know someone who works there?
Bring in new shopping options – clothes, video games, home decor. Build a small shopping open-air shopping/dining center with stores like Claire’s, Kirkland’s, Old Navy, and Taco Bell. The new shopping options will provide jobs. The act of shopping will feed tax dollars into our economy. With the other small towns around us, like Hartsville, Celina, Scottsville, and Holland, there’s no reason this area can’t carry a few larger stores successfully. City leaders – take a few steps toward reviving this town before it’s too late to revive anything. Just my two cents.
Until next time . . .
Hey, your county sounds a lot like ours. (Logan County Colorado). 22,000 people and 5.5 million cattle, a few hundred thousand buffalo and elk and deer, and a whole heck of a lot of sage brush.
ReplyDeleteAs a former city leader and one of the people that won the national small city economic development award for the work we did here, let me say one thing: it all begins with *YOU*. It isn't the actions of government or ... that determine the growth and viability of an area - it is you and I and everyone who holds the area dear. So what have you been doing to develop the area?
A second point that may not have occurred to you - never expend too much effort attracting retail. It does little to increase the viability of an area and cannot be propped up to survive if the base isn't there. Instead, if you create jobs and growth, retail will follow all on its own because retail follows $$$.
Sorry for the high horse, I just want people to realize that they can do so much and it doesn't take being wealthy or government action or a miracle. It just takes the day to day involvement of the citizens of the area.