Boom Town to Doomed Town?

A long time ago Mansfield, Ohio was a booming mega-factory city. Now it is represented with boarded-up, graffiti riddled houses and decay. While driving near the downtown area, you often discover houses hidden behind overgrown weeds, shrubbery and trees.  



The former:Westinghouse World Headquarters (see website header for current photo)

It’s been said during its heyday you could quit one good paying factory job and be hired at another- all in the same day. Not anymore.

Healthcare appears to be the best paying income in town with fast-food jobs being the most widely available. Consequently, it’s not unusual for folks to work two or three different jobs to stay afloat.

Mansfield has many people unemployed. Drugs have overtaken some neighborhoods to the point of no return. Welfare recipients and people on disability are the norm here. Arson is  nearly the front-page daily news. Not a pretty picture!

We didn’t reach this level of instability overnight; no it took several decades of erosion to get to where we are today.

Diversity and Leadership?

Some might say we lack diversity. Others say we failed to attract new business or lacked planning for the future. I would agree with all of those assumptions.

Our leaders failed to lead. Instead, the core players spent years locking-out other businesses from becoming competition. If the “good ole boys club” couldn’t control it or make money off it, the business wasn’t welcome.

It’s impossible to diversify without competition. The focus was never on where we we’re going. Greed was all that mattered. Consequently, when the existing businesses changed or dissolved; another hole was left in the void.

Help is On the Way?

 

Several years ago, a community of business people formed an organization to attract outside interest and bring new businesses into our area. I became suspicious when I noticed many of the members were from the same groups of people who for decades were related business owners and charter members of the “good ole boys club.”

I was hoping Mansfield was going to make a serious effort to plan and attract new businesses. Then it was announced the organization was going to focus on improving existing business, first. What a surprise, some things never change!

Our Only Plan?

The only new proposal that I am aware of is attracting warehousing business since we’re located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio with an airport and railroad nearby. Empty buildings and warehouse facilities are numerous. Unfortunately, most of these buildings are owned by the club members. Great idea, if you’re looking for a fleece (I meant lease).

Photo by: THart2009

Mean Town

I’ve had members of city council tell me they wouldn’t open a business in downtown Mansfield. The fear of crime and lack of people downtown ensures this attitude. People don’t have money to spend and that does make it tough on entrepreneurs or possible small business start-ups. The existing business owners must have a courageous heart of steel and I respect their resolve.

What We Need!

Perhaps no city has a greater need to grow and prosper. We lack so many options, and choices. Mansfield, Ohio has so many needs to be filled, yet the opportunities are scarce. Why?

Without consumers we stagnate. We become hardened. Our dreams die. Our taxpayer base is shrinking. Decent paying jobs are part of the answer.

We need leaders that can lead.  We need young people who are passionate and have a vision about creating a future and the courage to follow through with a plan.

We must end the current gatekeepers of cronyism within politics and business.

We must create something sustainable or we will forever be nothing more than rust!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

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