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Yep I worked for arch.. I was a former UG employee before Arch brought us... Lol.. they did no new hiring.. they actually laid off some.. and the rest were already ug employees... No new jobs created.
Its difficult because it takes more than just city leaders. Its the entire community from universities, local corporations, developers and the citizens as a whole. There has to be a game plan or a vision that unites all of those elements. Greensboro lacked that back in the 1970s. Its beginning to happen today but we are decades behind and we are too busy copying what other cities have already done. If we want to get into the driver's seat we have to have a new and fresh vision for our city and we have to take greater risks. Greensboro has been playing it safe for far too long. Charlotte took risks. It did things in the past that many said were not feasible at the time. We need more leadership that goes with its gut and not try to analyze every reason for not doing something. Until that happens Greensboro will only see mediocre progress and will always be in the shadows or other cities and struggle to recruit the kind of jobs that will really move this city forward.
Yes, gso... it really, really takes a collective effort that is marked by innovation and creativity. I really do think some folks with some fresh ideas need a seat at the table.
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Originally Posted by HRVT
That's absolutely true and blue collar folks do tend to get looked down on unfairly. Many of the blue collar (or advanced manufacturing) jobs that are coming are quite well paying also.
Sure, landing a company who will bring 1000+ six figure jobs is nice... but it isn't realistic for Greensboro. But $60k jobs are still very beneficial for the area. Focusing on these jobs and not wasting ANY time on proposals like Amazon HQ2 (ANY time spent on that was a complete waste IMO) would be far more beneficial long term.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HRVT
It just isn't that easy. The trend for white collar jobs has moved away from medium sized cities/suburbia and back towards large cities to be "where the talent is".
Look at Arch and the celebration that happened when it was announced they moved their HQ. Turned out it was basically a paper transaction that brought few if any jobs to the city (considering they already had jobs here).
You can build a strong local economy on advanced manufacturing. Keep an eye out for white collar opportunities too... but these days those jobs are going to Charlotte/Raleigh. White collar job growth here IMO will be better grown organically by helping to foster the growth of smaller companies here vs having a heavy focus on trying to lure outside conpanies.
You—and even Tuned (pains me to admit it, Tuned)—are making really good points. Listen y'all, Greensboro is what it is... and has been what it is for a long time. For whatever reason, the entirety of the Triad missed the white collar boat, and that boat is pretty much monopolized by Raleigh and Charlotte. Although it seems that the city's population size and the basic city amenities of GSO are enough to entice white collar, it's just highly unlikely to happen in our lifetimes because of the reasons y'all have mentioned. GSO is gonna need an egg to hatch (meaning a mechanism that gives birth to white collar internally and/or via external industries seeing what is organically growing and showing interest) instead of an already grown, established chicken dropping down out of the sky.
It's just probably best to build on the manufacturing base that remains.
I think HRVT made a really salient point in trying to entice "advanced manufacturing." Subsequently, that sector could likely spawn white collar jobs, and then with that, in turn, more white collar employers would take GSO seriously about would strongly consider setting up shop.
Seems like the route to go honestly. *sigh* As much as many of us want it to be another way. smh.
I still would entertain some proposals from white and especially gray collar, which some advanced manufacturing might fall under. But as mentioned, wouldn't spend too much time or incentive promises to the white collar in particular unless it really seemed like a "can't miss" endeavor where the ends would justify the means.
That's just what it is, y'all. This is Greensboro, NC. Let's not be deluded.
But let's also maximize what I still believe is still tremendous potential. Potential that could still enliven this city and still add some diversity to the demographic base, bringing in fresh new ideas and people.
But we all know that potential is, and has been, faaaaaaaaar from being maximized.
Last edited by UserNamesake; 02-26-2023 at 08:57 AM..
As far as the ACC goes, Greensboro's prominent position in the conference would further be diluted if the conference merged with a conference or two on the west coast which was rumored last fall. If that were to happen there would be no more ACC and it would become an entirely new conference with a new history and tradition and on a more national stage. At that point Greensboro can say goodbye to hosting the ACC tournament and the tournaments will only be hosted in "big cities". The bigger the conference grows, the more Greensboro will get left out. But Charlotte better watch out because if the conference grows too big, they could leave Charlotte for a city like New York.
As far as the ACC goes, Greensboro's prominent position in the conference would further be diluted if the conference merged with a conference or two on the west coast which was rumored last fall. If that were to happen there would be no more ACC and it would become an entirely new conference with a new history and tradition and on a more national stage. At that point Greensboro can say goodbye to hosting the ACC tournament and the tournaments will only be hosted in "big cities". The bigger the conference grows, the more Greensboro will get left out. But Charlotte better watch out because if the conference grows too big, they could leave Charlotte for a city like New York.
More likely the conference will be dead in 10-15 years.
I think one thing that really hinders the Triad from developing a dynamic, rapidly-growing economy fueled by advanced manufacturing and logistics/distribution is the state's lack of a competitive seaport which is a geographical advantage that can't be helped unfortunately. Charlotte and Greenville benefit significantly from relatively close proximity, and direct rail and interstate connections, to the port of Charleston which has helped fueled their manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors.
In addition, NC was a relative laggard to the corporate incentives game as well as building out its interstate highway network. Combined with the state's efforts to replicate RTP's success in eastern NC via Global Transpark, the Triad's less competitive and ambitious business leaders (particularly banking execs) and erosion of the regional corporate base due to industry deregulation in the 90s in particular, and you get the situation that exists today.
Focusing on these jobs and not wasting ANY time on proposals like Amazon HQ2 (ANY time spent on that was a complete waste IMO) would be far more beneficial long term.
I'd have to disagree with this. The HQ2 proposals sent to Amazon was a way for cities that were a long shot to get on the company's radar for future small-scale projects. Furthermore, corporations all across the country were paying attention to the competition play out and some cities were able to land other economic development projects based in part on the publicity they were afforded by submitting a proposal. Throwing your city's name in the ring functioned as an advertisement as a potential location for future economic development projects by companies across many different sectors.
I think one thing that really hinders the Triad from developing a dynamic, rapidly-growing economy fueled by advanced manufacturing and logistics/distribution is the state's lack of a competitive seaport which is a geographical advantage that can't be helped unfortunately. Charlotte and Greenville benefit significantly from relatively close proximity, and direct rail and interstate connections, to the port of Charleston which has helped fueled their manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors.
In addition, NC was a relative laggard to the corporate incentives game as well as building out its interstate highway network. Combined with the state's efforts to replicate RTP's success in eastern NC via Global Transpark, the Triad's less competitive and ambitious business leaders (particularly banking execs) and erosion of the regional corporate base due to industry deregulation in the 90s in particular, and you get the situation that exists today.
Yeah the global transpark should have either been at PTI or somewhere close to the port in Wilmington. It could have served as a true inland port & added much needed capacity/capability of the port. Add satellite centers at RDU/CLT could have created a true game changing asset provided the state made investments in rail/road infrastructure. Now the area in the Carolinas to keep a eye is the I-77 corridor between CLT & Columbia. Plenty of available land/good highway network & easy rail access to a mega port
Yeah the global transpark should have either been at PTI or somewhere close to the port in Wilmington. It could have served as a true inland port & added much needed capacity/capability of the port. Add satellite centers at RDU/CLT could have created a true game changing asset provided the state made investments in rail/road infrastructure. Now the area in the Carolinas to keep a eye is the I-77 corridor between CLT & Columbia. Plenty of available land/good highway network & easy rail access to a mega port
Savannah has the 4th largest port in the country and it is much larger than Charleston's port. Maybe you should keep an eye on I-95 instead.
The Global Transpark was a silly waste of money, and was created by eastern NC politicians to bring jobs to an impoverished part of eastern NC that used to be number one in tobacco, pickles, cotton and bar-b-que. It failed. The Research Triangle Park was also "created" by NC politicians but it included three T-1 research universities. It succeeded. Big time. It would have happened organically even if NC hadn't "created it".
Yes, PTI would have been the logical choice to build a "Global Transpark" versus Kinston. It's a logistical, advanced manufacturing hub. But, it wasn't politically correct I suppose.
Savannah has the 4th largest port in the country and it is much larger than Charleston's port. Maybe you should keep an eye on I-95 instead.
The Global Transpark was a silly waste of money, and was created by eastern NC politicians to bring jobs to an impoverished part of eastern NC that used to be number one in tobacco, pickles, cotton and bar-b-que. It failed. The Research Triangle Park was also "created" by NC politicians but it included three T-1 research universities. It succeeded. Big time. It would have happened organically even if NC hadn't "created it".
Yes, PTI would have been the logical choice to build a "Global Transpark" versus Kinston. It's a logistical, advanced manufacturing hub. But, it wasn't politically correct I suppose.
Agreed. The transpark in Kinston was all about politics. In order for that transpark to be successful it needed to be located near a large population center with good highway infrastructure and PTI was the perfect place for it.
Savannah has the 4th largest port in the country and it is much larger than Charleston's port. Maybe you should keep an eye on I-95 instead.
The Global Transpark was a silly waste of money, and was created by eastern NC politicians to bring jobs to an impoverished part of eastern NC that used to be number one in tobacco, pickles, cotton and bar-b-que. It failed. The Research Triangle Park was also "created" by NC politicians but it included three T-1 research universities. It succeeded. Big time. It would have happened organically even if NC hadn't "created it".
Yes, PTI would have been the logical choice to build a "Global Transpark" versus Kinston. It's a logistical, advanced manufacturing hub. But, it wasn't politically correct I suppose.
I-95 where? The stretch of I-77 has a much better shot because of it's proximity to the SC state capital, GSP & CLT which already has a strong logistics/manufacturing base. Charlotte's growth is headed south & the best opportunity to land a game changing type manufacturer is south of Rock Hill
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