I just spent the good part of a couple of years campaigning for mayor of Jacksonville. While I’m no longer in the race, I have absolutely no regrets about making the effort.
If you know anything about me, either from a personal relationship or monthly through this column, you know that I love Jacksonville and am heavily invested in its future.
In my campaign, I was often drawn outside my daily comfort zone and challenged by people with ideas very different from my own. I was introduced to ordinary citizens from all walks of life doing extra ordinary things every day to make a difference in the lives of others.
As the owner of a successful small business, I talked with many small business owners who are struggling to survive, looking for ways to do more with less so they can save the jobs of their employees and hold onto their own lives. I also met optimistic entrepreneurs with great ideas and unyielding passion to make those ideas come alive.
I saw first hand that the captains of Jacksonville’s industry are optimistic about our future, but highly nervous about our ability to achieve our potential without strong leadership.
Mostly, I rediscovered that so many people care deeply about the kind of community we become. They want the very best, especially for our children, and they’re willing to step up and work hard to build a Jacksonville where our children and grandchildren will never have to - or want to - live anywhere else.
But, to be honest, I also saw a lot of frustration from people who feel their voices are not heard.
Over the years I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions about the importance of economic development and job creation.
It’s difficult enough on everyone when we have high unemployment and loss of investments because of circumstances beyond our control. It will be unforgivable if we don’t get in front of economic recovery because we lack vision, fail to plan ahead and have leaders unwilling to make bold decisions.
An election campaign is a contest of ideas and a contrast of leadership styles. Over the next few months - the election is in March, the runoff is in April - I hope that those running for office will express the kind of forward thinking ideas that will engage voters while giving us some real meat to chew on concerning our future.
I hope we hear a lot of discussion about job creation and economic investment. Nothing is more important.
Education must be the cornerstone if we’re to attract new companies and good jobs.
That means a trained workforce to fill the new jobs we create.
We must make sure that all of our children are provided a foundation upon which to build their futures.
It’s the right investment for kids; and it’s the best long-term economic investment we can make.
Companies doing business in Jacksonville must have an educated work force.
If we can’t provide that, we won’t be competitive with cities like Kansas City, Charlotte, Indianapolis or Nashville.
We must attract new investments to grow our tax base, and to pay for needed public services.
There is tremendous opportunity for economic growth in this region.
If we work as partners we can keep our own businesses strong, and we’ll create an economic environment in Northeast Florida where great companies will want to do business.
We all have a stake in our future. That’s especially true for Realtors and builders. As we count down the final weeks until we elect a new mayor and City Council, I want to encourage you to turn over every opportunity to really know the people we will elect. Get involved, ask the right questions, and become a part of the solution.
And, after the election, find ways to make things happen. Grab an oar and row. We need good jobs so we can grow. We need good jobs so we can build and sell houses.
– Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection.