With 120,000 people coming to the county, it is clear more jobs will be needed. Both jobs generated by new industry and small business start-ups are important. 
What strategies would grow both types of these jobs? How do we reduce the further loss of jobs in certain sectors of the economy?
Give us your thoughts -- click "comments" below:
16 comments:
Winston Salem would do well to roadblock the Good 'Ol Boy network so that businesses could actually start and grow without the interference of various Wake Forest and Mayor Joines croonies. Ousting Mayor Loins would be a great start.
The city really needs to cut all the bureaucracy in trying to start up a new company. Right now to start a new business in Winston you have to first draw up blue prints of the location. (Even if it out of your own home) Then you got to submit a bunch of copies to the city. You then have to continually go online to see if it has been reviewed by the different depts. (It would be helpful if they called or emailed you when reviewed) You also have to make sure you plant enough trees and shrubs, then every time someone has an objection you have to redo the blue prints. (this can take a long time and be very expensive since there are about 20 depts. that review a plan) After all that you can finally have all the inspectors come out and make sure everything is to code. Then finally you can get your business license and start to do business in Winston. This usually takes about 3-6 months to complete and typically costs anywhere from 2,000-10,000 dollars in expense. Here's the fix... if someone has business just send an inspector out to make sure it is safe and up to code and let them do business! So simple....
Actually, there are 7 sets required, but that does not change the fact that the process is cumbersome.
Zoning can be a real pain in the rear - especially with regard to parking requirements.
And i completely agree with complaint regarding having to go on line to check over and over to see if reviews are complete. A method of notification after all departments have completed their reviews should be adopted. This is not difficult. Mecklenburg county is a horrible place to have to go through the review process, but the building standards department there has had a notification process (first by FAX and now by email) for 10 years.
I think market forces have to be considered here. We are not always going to be able to prevent the loss of certain kinds of jobs nor is it desirable to do so. With respect to textiles and furniture for instance, the forces pushing these jobs overseas are manifold. Policies at the federal level like corporate tax policies and trade treaties.
With regard to small business start-ups besides other's comments would include the establishment of groups that create communication by bringing together people with different skills on a regular basis.
A commitment to wireless broad band WiFi that works within the CBD. Seems like this is being challenged in the state legislature. The city needs to go on record as opposing those efforts.
Healthy and vibrant community cultural institutions are critical components for any city in attracting new businesses and retaining talented residents. Future plans for the city's development need to include startegy designed to support and help ensure institutions like Old Salem Museums & Gardens are well-funded and supported by the community.
Thoughtful, well-conceived infrastructure projects that do more than just move cars, but rather increase connectivity while branding and forming an identity for this City of Arts & Innovations should be a critical component of city planning. The Creative Corridors Coalition project is directed at this very notion.
Be as business friendly as possible, remove obstacles and restrictions
Don't let people bypass our community on unneeded beltways
Pursue support of existing sustainable businesses - e.g. tourism (#2 in State), IT, and other non-manufacturing
(Tourism is locally anchored)
Research other communities that have been successful
We need an improved school system that considers business partnerships input to develop relevant curriculum & skills. The City/County could implement a community initiative to help aspiring business owners. Sort of like a tour into selected communities to raise awareness & provide info on starting your own business.
Urban projects.
Development of community gardens
Focus on technology and healthcare services for senior citizen communities (high level baby boomers)
Senior communities are labor intensive and would provide numerous job opportunities for a varied range of skill levels
Need more manufacturing jobs for blue collar workers
Build upon our assets and make Winston-Salem as unique a PLACE as possible.
Preserve as much farmland as possible. Industrial recruitment should not promote sprawl. Do not repeat the DELL and Caterpillar land pillage. We lost some of the best farmland, fishing, hunting, walking and bird watching experiences in eastern Forsyth County with those developments plus destroyed much farm heritage. The end result:
• Sprawl associated with largest forced annexation in our history
• Creation of another cement jungle which blighted the area
• Increased costs of roads and other infrastructure
• Exasperated traffic congestion (avoidable with sites nearer existing Interstates, airports and railroad yards)
• Increased air, water and light pollution issues
• Destroyed and split a rural community’s identity (ecojustice)
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/sprawlindex/factsheet_greensboro.html
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