Jim Bailey: Enough is Enough.

[Tacachale]

^In some ways we're definitely already there. Our success will depend on attracting and keeping skilled, educated people, and stuff like this just makes it all the harder to keep the ones we've got and attract new ones from elsewhere. The message the city council is sending with this stuff is just deplorable: they're saying that Jacksonville doesn't value diversity, tolerance, or human rights. Hardly the right message to attract young, educated people. Jacksonville has so much going for it, why does our government feel the need to cut our feet out from under us?

[Cheshire Cat]

I returned to J-ville last night, after spending three days at a large gathering of venture capital entities who invest billions (that's dollars, with a "b") in partnership with municipalities around the US and Canada. I attended the event simply as an observer, but the greater purpose was essentially a"speed-dating" event between 36 progressive cities from four time zones, and an undetermined number of investors who were interested in hearing about prospective urban redevelopment projects where they might put those aforementioned billions of private capital.

It was made clear by the investors I spoke to that they have plenty of pent-up demand (money) for investment opportunities and also clear that the public sector need for private capital and management capacity is significant. It is an investors market out there. Some cities that were present made connections that I am sure will result in projects ranging from convention hotels to schools, to jails, to City Hall buildings and residential lofts. Our football conference rival, Indianapolis, presented a plan so sophisticated it bordered on unbelievable. As was the price tag that involved over $100 million in committed private capital investment, dead in the center of their CBD.

I didn't hear anyone say it directly, but the message came through to me loud and clear. Private venture capitalists don't have any time at all to waste on backwater politics. They are looking for demonstrable evidence from local governments that their investments are safe from political intolerance, bigotry, racism and backroom gatekeeping that might adversely affect their return on investment. They recognize that every successful urban redevelopment effort in this country is founded on a tolerance of diversity, GLBTG urban pioneers, the arts culture, and the food and entertainment industries, as well as embracing youthful entrepreneurs who cater to a different crowd.

Small wonder that college towns like Austin and Tempe rank so high in economic indicators in this fiscal climate, and small wonder that private venture capital is flowing to those "progressive" cities while avoiding "like the plague" those cities with cultures of backwardness.

It is sadly ironic that as much rhetoric as we feed ourselves about the good things we want to happen in this town, that we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot on the public national stage.

Soon. Very soon, people who could make a difference in Jacksonville are going to realize that it might be easier to pull up and move to where things are heading in the right direction than to continue to pour money and effort down a proverbial rathole while waiting for attitudes to change.

Truth! Question, Was there no one representing Jacksonville at the gathering?

[thelakelander]

^In some ways we're definitely already there. Our success will depend on attracting and keeping skilled, educated people, and stuff like this just makes it all the harder to keep the ones we've got and attract new ones from elsewhere. The message the city council is sending with this stuff is just deplorable: they're saying that Jacksonville doesn't value diversity, tolerance, or human rights. Hardly the right message to attract young, educated people. Jacksonville has so much going for it, why does our government feel the need to cut our feet out from under us?

To a degree, as a group, I'm not sure our elected leaders fully recognize the world around us is changing and what that means for our community's future economically.  It may take a new generation of residents to take the reins and steer Jacksonville in the right direction.

[Cheshire Cat]

^In some ways we're definitely already there. Our success will depend on attracting and keeping skilled, educated people, and stuff like this just makes it all the harder to keep the ones we've got and attract new ones from elsewhere. The message the city council is sending with this stuff is just deplorable: they're saying that Jacksonville doesn't value diversity, tolerance, or human rights. Hardly the right message to attract young, educated people. Jacksonville has so much going for it, why does our government feel the need to cut our feet out from under us?

To a degree, as a group, I'm not sure our elected leaders fully recognize the world around us is changing and what that means for our community's future economically.  It may take a new generation of residents to take the reins and steer Jacksonville in the right direction.

They don't understand and some just don't care.   You are right about the new generation though.  Through them we will see a greater shift in attitudes and views.  Of course when you are my age, you Ennis and so many other young professionals in your age group are that new generation.  The good thing is that you know that and are working for change.