Local Universities and Colleges: Let's Discuss (Pittsburgh, Scranton: crime, houses, job openings)

[Magritte25]

It is the Chambers of Commerce job to sell businesses on our area. That is kind of the point of their existence. The reason the amount of people with BAs are so low is because.....drum roll please....there are no jobs here. You cannot expect people with higher educations to stay here when they can be employed elsewhere. Same with the unemployment rate - if there are no employers here, why would you expect the unemployment rate to be lower?

Crime is directly correlated to lack of employment resources. This is a fact and is well known. Get the jobs here and you'll see the rate of professionals in the area skyrocket, unemployment and crime rates will plummet. This is Economics 101. Why don't the Chambers of Commerce get it?

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

It is the Chambers of Commerce job to sell businesses on our area. That is kind of the point of their existence. The reason the amount of people with BAs are so low is because.....drum roll please....there are no jobs here. You cannot expect people with higher educations to stay here when they can be employed elsewhere. Same with the unemployment rate - if there are no employers here, why would you expect the unemployment rate to be lower?

Crime is directly correlated to lack of employment resources. This is a fact and is well known. Get the jobs here and you'll see the rate of professionals in the area skyrocket, unemployment and crime rates will plummet. This is Economics 101. Why don't the Chambers of Commerce get it?

Because they treat it more like a social club rather than a business network intended to promote economic development in the area. NEPA chambers do little to promote what they have to offer, and they don't seem to market themselves very well. Even their websites are a hot mess; their information is not clearly presented, and they don't make it obvious how one would benefit from being a member.

I've also noticed little collaboration between chambers in the region: each one wants to be its own entity, which robs it of the ability to make any headway regionally.

In NEPA (as well as some other regions), being a member of the local chamber seems to be akin to being a member of the Elks club. They have nice dinners and banquets, but it really doesn't mean anything to anyone outside of the organization.

[johnqpublic]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

Because they treat it more like a social club rather than a business network intended to promote economic development in the area. NEPA chambers do little to promote what they have to offer, and they don't seem to market themselves very well. Even their websites are a hot mess; their information is not clearly presented, and they don't make it obvious how one would benefit from being a member.

I've also noticed little collaboration between chambers in the region: each one wants to be its own entity, which robs it of the ability to make any headway regionally.

In NEPA (as well as some other regions), being a member of the local chamber seems to be akin to being a member of the Elks club. They have nice dinners and banquets, but it really doesn't mean anything to anyone outside of the organization.

I was a member of Scrantons C of C for 2 years... pretty useless IMHO.. they threw a card swap/ beer bash once a month, printed a local business directory and held a golf tourney... Its like a huge Frat/ Sorority club more than a serious Chamber looking to attract Big Business and family sustaining jobs. Austin Burke wasnt worth the 6 figures he was raking in each year..

[Cpt.Trips]

Go back to my statistics on Scranton. These issues are not the sole responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce. Now, at the risk of being deleted and yelled at, this is what Scranton need's. There are several school's of thought on how to revitalize a city in decline. However, the majority of the responsibility must be shared by a collaboration outside investors, corporate commitment, private investors and local business owners along with the chamber of commerce. A comprehensive long term plan must be agreed upon and actively monitored and revised as needed. But if you folk's wish to place the blame on a single entity that can not possibly achieve your desired result's, have at it.

[johnqpublic]

Originally Posted by Cpt.Trips

Go back to my statistics on Scranton. These issues are not the sole responsibility of the Chamber of Commerce. Now, at the risk of being deleted and yelled at, this is what Scranton need's. There are several school's of thought on how to revitalize a city in decline. However, the majority of the responsibility must be shared by a collaboration outside investors, corporate commitment, private investors and local business owners along with the chamber of commerce. A comprehensive long term plan must be agreed upon and actively monitored and revised as needed. But if you folk's wish to place the blame on a single entity that can not possibly achieve your desired result's, have at it.

And here I thought that getting a consortium of corporate commitment private investors, local business owners and a long term plan would fall under the Chambers platform....

[Cpt.Trips]

In most cases you're correct. Scranton is not most cases. Looming bankruptcy along with the numerous other issues requires political influence to get the corporate interest and government guarantee's to back the loans. If the present chamber is too inept to get the ball rolling is another issue. My statement was/is it's way above a single body to solve the problem's the city if facing.

[johnqpublic]

Austin Burke was at the helm many many years.. predating the current crisis I see nothing from his long tenure... But to be BOT With all the Universities, Colleges, transportation infrastructure and logistics, this area, not just Scranton should be a boom town

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by johnqpublic

And here I thought that getting a consortium of corporate commitment private investors, local business owners and a long term plan would fall under the Chambers platform....

It absolutely should fall under the Chambers' discretion. It is a major failing on their part that it does not.

[Cpt.Trips]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

It absolutely should fall under the Chambers' discretion. It is a major failing on their part that it does not.

Just curious as to why you failed to mention these responsibilities in your prior post? Anyone can cite an obvious problem, it's the possible solution that's the interesting discussion. Sound's like typical Monday Morning Quarterback syndrome to me.....

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Cpt.Trips

Just curious as to why you failed to mention these responsibilities in your prior post? Anyone can cite an obvious problem, it's the possible solution that's the interesting discussion. Sound's like typical Monday Morning Quarterback syndrome to me.....

Why didn't you mention it in your first post on the subject? You know the one disparaging others for questioning the Chambers' lack of ability/drive to draw businesses here.