Economics according to Mom
When I was growing up, I had no idea my wise mom was preparing me for my career in econmic development.
But, now that I look back, I can see how many of those bits of advice, sayings and momisms were coaching me for my position today.
Here is a few examples.
Mam said, "Don't forget to dot your I's and to cross your T's."
Aside from perfecting penmanship, she was telling me to pay attention to details. That's especially important in today's competitive economic environmrnt. I picked up a statistic from a trade newsletter saying there are nearly 35,000 economic developers out there competing for just 200 large attraction projects per year.
Luckily in St. Joseph County, we have people like state Sen. Cameron Brown who is also paying attention to details. Sen. Brown is working to pass legislation to make us more competitive in winning warehousing/distribution projects. We've lost a couple sizable companies to Indiana due to that state's ability to offer tax abatements to this business segment. Presently, we can't offer this in Michigan.
Sen. Brown's Senate Bill 1111 evens the playing field. It has passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House and head to the governor's desk in the next couple weeks.
Stay tuned on that detail.
Mom also said, "Rome wasn't bulit in a day."
I think she already knew about the U.S. 131 improvement project when she voiced that one.
And, then she said, "Try, try, try again."
She was right. Look what can happen when a group of people who want something badly enough wor together to achieve it.
Just before the holidays, the prospect of MDOT devoting money to improving U.S. 131 as a limited-access highway appeared to be dead in the water.
Now, with the help of Sen. Brown, Rep. Rick Shaffer, U.S. Congressman Fred Upton, and a large group of community leaders and volunteers, the project is back on track. Thirty-one million dollars have been dedicated to a seven-mile bypass around Constantine and the environmental impact study is once again being finalized for the full 17-mile stretch from Indiana line past Three Rivers. MDOT met last week with the local task force committee and is looking to forma smaller, local stakeholder group to help formalize the plan.
More news will be forthcoming.
Lastlly, Mom would say,"If you don't quit making that face, it'll freeze the way."
She's got me stumped on how that one relates to economics.
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