WHAT THE 2010 SENTIMENT STUDY SAID ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTH GEORGIA
If the future relies on the mood of its citizens, then North Georgia is in great shape. The general perception among North Georgians is optimism. Not just optimism, absurd optimism. Through the past couple years, this country has been ripped apart in the eyes of its citizens as well as the rest of the world, and yet North Georgians remain extremely confident that we will experience a comeback with relative ease and grace. This is a positive approach based on our positive culture and arises for one simple reason: optimism. This optimism will promote an exponential increase in local spending.
Local spending. This is the key to keeping our optimism from being misplaced. Our local dollars, which we have made here, will be kept here, thus promoting increased business within our local economy. It is crazy enough to work! Our evenings away from “home” (local community) will occur less often. Keeping our residents in-town more often, spending their money in-town and ultimately generating an increase in business and personal wealth through this spirit of optimism which we all share. Beneath the words, comments, and charts of this year’s Sentiment Study lies the confidence that the majority of North Georgians believe exists. In fact, close to 82% of us believe growth will continue to occur in our region; after all that same 82% believes we have performed as well as or better than the rest of the nation during this trying time.
One thing that is evident among our residents, the North Georgians, is that we tend to stay in North Georgia (must be something in the water). Approximately 75% of our respondents have lived here for more than 10 years, with half of them having been here forever. Sustain our community, allow our community to grow in the way we all believe it is capable of, and I assure you that your optimism will not have just been a dream. Our local businesses will be stronger than in 2009, our region will continue to see growth, and we will perform the same as or better than the rest of the nation…this is the reality of focused optimism and action.
North Georgians reported that their spending habits have permanently changed and that they will not revert back to previous habits. I believe this to be entirely untrue. This reminds me of the ole’ “go to” New Year’s resolution, “I am going to start working out and get into shape.” I’ve said it personally. The next thing you know, the big game is on so you’ll just skip a day, no big deal, what’s one day? Then, that slice of pizza just looks too good to resist, you can’t help diving right in, which tosses that day away, too. Sound familiar? Just like that, old habits and old routines come back to the forefront. What makes this different? Normal spending habits vary between person to person and family to family, but once the necessities are all paid for and taken care of, filling another basket of money will occur. I call it my wine fund. By no means will cutting off my wine fund for a period of time completely change my desire to have it exist. My wine fund can include vacations, new cars, electronics, wine, etc…everyone has a different name for it and no two are the same. I don’t see this personal enjoyment fund cease to exist just because of the scare we’ve had. North Georgians will be much smarter about how they go about preparing themselves for it, but don’t kid yourself, this hasn’t been permanently changed, just reprioritized, which will continue to take shape in the years ahead.
Based on the survey, hiring, expansion and cut backs were not going to increase during the next year; however, production was projected to increase. Performing more with less will become the motto of several small businesses in our region. Once they catch back up, we will find that our respondents will begin to answer with an increase in hiring, expansion and production, while crossing the negative category of cutbacks off of our list. We are on our way; you said so. Almost 77% of the respondents have no intention of increasing their cutbacks in 2010. We will see this number continue to rise as North Georgia becomes the new business corridor connecting Atlanta to Greenville to Charlotte to Raleigh, ever-changing the pressing issues for our region.
During our survey we asked a very general question: “what is the most pressing issue for North Georgia in 2010?” This allowed our respondents to freely write their point of view and explain the basis for their response. A general consensus was unveiled, that being jobs/employment. Even though today we see this as an issue, in the future of North Georgia this in fact will become a very bright point of light. With the growth expected (basically understood) in our region, the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion (essentially Birmingham to Raleigh), businesses will find themselves moving away from the traffic of the larger cities into smaller, less populated areas while still having the capability to easily access I-85, 985, 365, and 400 corridors. These are the corridors of the future. These interstates connect Atlanta to the rest of our region and for that matter to the rest of the east coast.
So what does our Sentiment Study say about the future of North Georgia…well, in the long term our growth is ultimately inevitable. Our optimistic point of view in our region and in our region’s economy is overwhelming and will encourage local spending, resulting in the resurgence of the economic engine of local businesses which increases local jobs which increases local spending, and the cycle will be restored. North Georgia business owners will continue to push and encourage their employees to perform at a different level than before but seeking more performance with less. North Georgia’s future is in the hands of North Georgia, we won’t see state and national governments coming to our rescue. Keep your head held high and your feet churning and the next thing you know, North Georgia will continue to show more growth in the state of Georgia than any other region and we will provide the next gateway to the expansion of Atlanta-based businesses. It is up to us, the North Georgians, and nobody else….Together we will make it happen.
COPYRIGHT NORTON NATIVE INTELLIGENCE 2010
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