|
100 |
|
90 |
|
70 |
|
60 |
|
50 |
|
40 |
|
30 |
|
20 |
|
10 |
|
2008 Membership Drive |
|
On the Move!
As we move closer and closer to the presidential election in November, we continue to see signs of the economy slowing and talk of a possible recession. Locally, we see the residential construction industry slowing, folks struggling to make their mortgage payments as budgets are stretched each month to pay recurring expenses. We also see some families loosing their homes when jobs are lost or they can no longer make the payments on their adjustable rate loans. Additionally, we are all paying more at the pump for our personal travels and the rising cost of gasoline continues to be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices for all goods and services.
As the Kentucky General Assembly enters the homestretch, our politicians face some very tough decisions. Do we allow the people of the Commonwealth to vote on expanded gaming? Can we sacrifice all of the progress that has been made in our K-16 education system in recent years? Can we put another band aide on the state retirement system? Do we raise cigarette taxes or consider raising income taxes? The challenges are seemingly endless as we witnessed in our recent trip to Frankfort with approximately 60 representatives of Leadership Madison County. Regardless of the path, the consumer will pay!
Enough of the doom and gloom. I am excited about the transformation that is occurring within Berea’s business community, even though it is largely going unnoticed by most residents of Berea. Just take a look around or better yet take a drive through town taking notice of the new businesses. Berea’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Even more noticeable are the growing number of businesses that have moved into new, larger spaces during the last year as they continue to expand their products and services to better serve their customers. Consequently, the store fronts that have been vacated are often very attractive to some of the fledgling businesses that often start as a home based or part-time business working out of an extra bedroom or garage. As conservative as it is, Berea’s private sector is responding to customer and market driven demands. Thanks in part to some very savvy developers and investors.
As you look at our community’s demographics, two of the underserved populations are our youth and our seniors. For years, our young people, Berea’s future, have begged for more social activities and are seeking out opportunities to be challenged. They want skate board parks, movie theaters, game rooms, places to hang out, listen to music, etc. Can we meet their present and future needs?? With the significant strides made in health care in recent years, we are all living longer. Consequently, our entrepreneurs will have countless opportunities to develop new, never heard of, businesses (services and otherwise) to meet the unique needs of our older, wiser residents.
In closing, I am confident that the private sector will rise to the occasion. However, will it be fast enough to satisfy the needs of one of the Commonwealth’s fastest growing counties?
David
|
|
2008 Membership Meetings
March 20 Godby Advertising
April 17 Montgomery Farm & Garden
May 16 State of the County Address
June 19 Open
July 17 Open
August 21 Saint Joseph Berea
September 25 Open
October 16 White House Clinics
November 20 Main Street Café
December 4 Awards Banquet
|
|
Please explore the new Chamber website at www.bereachamber.com |
