Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Chamber Confidential

www.metrochamber.com

Volume 3, Number 14 

DOING BUSINESS UNDER A “STATE OF EMERGENCY”

Recently, the most frequently asked question of the Chamber and our economic development entity, is "How does the State of Emergency in Jackson affect business recruitment and retention in our metro area?"  The answer is simple.  It hinders us and it is another hurdle to overcome as we sell this greater community.

Before I even address the issue, let me begin by saying that Mayor Frank Melton has been a strong and supportive ally in the economic development arena.  His pro-business approach and positive attitude have brought new energy to our very capable team.  We have open dialogue with Mayor Melton as well as the other elected leaders in the greater metro community.

However, defining Jackson as being under a “State of Emergency” is not an attractive headline when selling our area.  Let me be clear about the effects of such a statement: This declaration in the City of Jackson has fallout in all the surrounding communities.  A prospective business considering locating or relocating in Mississippi considers us all the same market area---especially Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.  The negative phrase has a connotation that implies chaos and disorder.  It brings mental images of the pandemonium we viewed on television of New Orleans after the levees failed. That scene is not particularly enticing for prospective residents or businesses.

Is there a crime problem?  Definitely!  Today’s front page Clarion Ledger story on business property crimes is sickening.  These burglaries and other crimes are totally unacceptable. Realizing the gravity of stories like this one, we are not implying that we should go soft on crime!  To the contrary--we in the metro business community need to be at the forefront when it comes to taking a tough stance on crime.  We agree with Mayor Melton that we must get a handle on this issue that destroys the heart of our quality of life.  But let’s go about it by doing a better job in helping fix the criminal justice system.  Let’s keep criminals off the streets by increasing jail space and pushing the court cases through the system more expeditiously. Let’s ensure that law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges are working together to keep the process moving.  Let’s support community policing.  Let’s be more involved with the youth of our community and help them see alternatives to the sad life of dealing drugs.  Let’s support the cities’ police chiefs and county sheriffs when they have resource needs.  Let’s understand that crime is everywhere and is not confined by city limit lines.  Let’s get involved personally and financially to eradicate crime in our area.

Maybe the emergency statement by Frank was a wake up call for us.  Maybe it worked.  Now it is time to stop airing the alarm of our local issues in the national and regional media.  Now it is time to get serious about crime, but be smart about how we present ourselves to the rest of the world.  We have never hidden the issue of crime from any prospective client, but hysteria is not the answer. 

The question is not whether Frank should be tough on crime.  Of course he should be--- just as Mayor Gary Rhoads, Mayor Gene McGee and others are.  More importantly, so should each of us.  I believe we can be successful in this battle against crime.  If you want to be a part of the solution, contact us and you will be put on the team that will work, not only with Frank, but also with Sheriff McMillan, U.S. Attorney Dun Lampton, and other law enforcement and judicial representatives from the surrounding counties.

It is time to be TOUGH ON CRIME, but it’s time to drop the “State of Emergency”.

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