The Retention Monthly

Quotables


“I’m not going to be happy until everybody in this state that wants a job can get a job. OK? And when everybody has the ability to take care of themselves and their families in a way they see fit. That’s my goal. That’s my drive.”
South Carolina Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor is emphatic about the goals that he has for his department. During the last four years as Commerce secretary, Taylor’s department has attracted major corporations like Google, Starbucks Coffee and Adidas that have created hundreds of jobs and made significant investments in the state. The icing on the cake? Boeing’s selection of Charleston for its new East Coast aircraft assembly complex which will create thousands of high–paying jobs and spur further growth in the state’s aerospace cluster. Source: “He helped bring in Boeing; Big deal” by Katy Stech. The Charleston SC Post and Courier. February 15, 2010.

“The challenge for economic development is not to go out and recruit entrepreneurs. Folks, your entrepreneurs are here right now at… all of the colleges, in your high schools, working in stores along Main Street… The students who are most likely to graduate, start a new business and stay in your community are the ones attending community college.”
Consultant Erik Pages, CEO of Entreworks Consulting, urges economic development officials in the Lehigh Valley PA to find its next generation of business owners in its own back yard, including the region’s community colleges. The goal, according to Pages, is to make the region more attractive to the entrepreneurs already there. Source: “Agency continues push to bring new companies to the Lehigh Valley” by Scott Kraus. The Allentown PA Morning Call. January 22, 2010.

“This is the best urban infill site in the country for a large transit–oriented development. It will be clean and green, incorporating environmental remediation of the former industrial site with the best practices for sustainable development.”
When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade: the loss of Doraville GA's largest employer means new development opportunities. Orlando FL–based New Broad Street Cos. is purchasing the former General Motors plant in Doraville and plans to build a “clean and green” community with homes, eateries, businesses and offices, according to company president David Pace. The 165–acre site is strategically adjacent to I–285 and a MARTA rail line. City officials in Doraville are excited because New Broad Street has a proven record in transforming industrial sites into mixed use development. Source: “Florida developer to buy GM site in Doraville” by Gertha Coffee and April Hunt. The Atlanta GA Journal–Constitution. January 28, 2010.

“With 14% unemployment in L.A., we’re ready to get people to work.”
Like many California leaders, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, hopes that the state's proposed 800–mile passenger rail line with the nation’s first 220 mph trains will stimulate the state’s economy. California is earmarked to receive $2.35 billion of federal stimulus funds targeted for high–speed rail projects. However, the total cost of the project is nearly $42 billion. The California High Speed Rail Authority estimates that the project could create 600,000 construction–related jobs and 450,000 permanent jobs over the next decade. Source: “Stimulus Money Seeds Big Rail Plans in California,” by Rebecca Smith. The Wall Street Journal. January 29, 2010.

“It’s a report with a lot of bad news in it. Most years, Silicon Valley has all this good news. But this year, it’s not entirely clear when the recession ends if we’re going to be able to very easily get back. That’s not a given.”
Russell Hancock, president and chief executive of Joint Venture, remarked on the current status of Silicon Valley amidst reports of a grim future. The 2010 Index of Silicon Valley reported the region is facing several challenges including job losses, a loss of foreign talent, decreases in investments and state gridlock. Source: “Report says Silicon Valley Economy Sputtering,” by Associated Press Writer. The Sacremento Bee. February 10, 2010.

“Canada will have too few workers to meet the needs of its economy and of society. We need to expand Canada’s labour force if we want the Canadian economy to continue to grow.”
Despite the recession and unemployment rates, Perrin Beatty, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is sounding the alarm over the workforce –– specifically, a looming shortage of workers once the recovery is in place. This has been a long–standing issue in Canada, which has led to aggressive efforts to attract immigrants. The government estimates that the percentage of population over 65 will increase from 13.4% in 2007 to 26.3% by 2075. Source: “Too few workers feared” by QMI Agency. As seen in the London ON Free Press. February 22, 2010.

“The large incumbents in Europe, which might have been considered technological laggards, have used green technology and sustainability as a core new element of growth.”
While the U.S. focuses economic recovery on small businesses, European economies are relying on their major multinational corporations for growth, according to Luc Soete, a professor of international economics at Maastricht University. The trade–off is lower profits and productivity in the short term, outcomes that are a difficult sell in the U.S. Source: “Europe’s focus on jobs paying off” by Staff. The New York Times. February 5, 2010.

“If a place like Boulder that regards itself as being in the environmental forefront has such a tough time, these types of efforts are not going to work as a core policy.”
Even in environmentally–conscious Boulder CO, going green at home isn’t easy, according to Roger Pielke, Jr., a University of Colorado at Boulder professor specializing in climate change issues. A leader in promoting green practices, the city has had limited success with homeowners, even with subsidies to defray part of the cost. Boulder’s latest solution is “Two Techs in a Truck” –– 15 teams that will go door–to–door at taxpayer expense, helping to make homes more energy efficient by caulking windows, changing light bulbs and installing low–flow shower heads. Source: “Even Boulder Finds It Isn’t Easy Going Green” by Stephanie Simon. The Wall Street Journal. February 13, 2010.