Business Support
When you look at the income producing families in Hot Springs, we have an inordinate number of people who earn their living off of government in one way or another. Although I don’t have any official statistics, I have heard percentages as high as 70%. But, regardless of the percentage, given all the govenmental agencies — State Home, VA, HS school system, city and county government and various other state and federal agencies — the percentage is unusually high for our community. These people, assured of their income do not have to rely on a successful, vibrant business community and economic growth. Thus, they have a less than vested interest toward insuring that local business succeed. As a result, our hard working business men and women continually struggle to survive and we are threatened with more closed businesses and lack of economic development. These government people (many of them leaders in the drive to stifle economic initiatives and the negativity that pervades our community) must be conviced that a thriving business community and accelerated enhanced economic development is good for everyone.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I agree with you.. As a business owner and member of local chamber, it is so important to try and shop at home first. If you can buy it in town, you should. What we offer is SERVICE! How much one -on- one service do you get at Walmart and Home Depot? One person said:” Everyone should run a small business in a small town for a while and they would realize how important it is to shop locally!”
April 19th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I think the “government worker” cares about our town, but just doesn’t realize the importance of supporting local activities, businesses, etc. Maybe we have to do a better job of educating them, and reminding them how important their support is.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The US Census Bureau publishes some excellent information about the economic make-up of any community in the US. Here is their web site: http://factfinder.census.gov
In addition, the SDSU Cooperative Extension Service would be very happy to host a public meeting to review this and related data to help gage and focus any economic development activity.
I’m with Don & Judy though, I think that many “government workers” are home grown and care deeply about their home town and its long term success. The service aspect of doing business at home is a very important component to the total shopping experience.
Check out the blog sites at Presho, Philip and Murdo to see some unique ways to attract home town shopping.