Downtowning on the down low, upside down, let's all get down.

We’re all downtowners now, or so quoth the little bird who told me that at last week’s First Tuesday networking fete, assembled revelers were told that Develop New Albany belatedly is seeking to extend its reach to all parts of the city, not just its emerging downtown.

I’ll skip over the metaphorical implications of “reach” in this context and proceed directly to DNA’s mission statement, which will need some tweaking (emphasis mine):

Develop New Albany, Inc. is a non-profit organization composed of local businesses and community volunteers. Develop New Albany is committed to the economic revitalization and historic preservation of Downtown New Albany. Develop New Albany proactively markets New Albany to organizations and businesses to encourage the continued renaissance of Downtown New Albany.

Of all the childhood bromides drilled into my skull by those evil unionized thug teachers of old, my favorite remains, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Ever since late autumn of 2010, when the philosophical rudiments of what would soon become NA First (the city’s first-ever grassroots, independent, local-first business alliance) initially were being discussed, there has been a headlong rush to jump on the “buy local” bandwagon.

Even the mavens of One Southern Indiana, heretofore an exurban bauble in the Caesared hands of regional economic “development” interests, want a seat at the localization table.

(Apologies, but such a cynical feigning of interest in localism is yet another opportunity to reach for the Irony Sickness Bag of which I wrote yesterday, if for no better reason than the plain fact of 1Si’s persistent advocacy of tolling to build unnecessary bridges, which in turn has been a prime impetus in pushing for greater localization. Can one help cause the problem and yet be the solution, all at the same time? 1Si wants you to think so.)

Now DNA, which has been unable to locate its own elusive organizational genetic code for courage when it comes to taking a clear stand on bridge tolls, hints at a geographical re-orientation, no doubt inspired primarily by NA First’s steadfast insistence on wider New Albany business inclusivity.

Make no mistake: I heartily commend DNA for reaching this conclusion, with a caveat or two to follow.

But first, speaking personally, currently witnessing this unprecedented uptick in interest in economic localization is giving me a satisfying sense of vindication from having assisted in building the foundation for NA First, which is rooted in actionable principles that are aimed at giving independent small local businesses a true voice.

Unfortunately, it is yet uncertain how the emerging efforts of the three separate organizations listed here can helpfully coincide to pursue a pathway toward common cause.

Each surely must have a delineated role, and these roles are highly unlikely to emerge spontaneously without communication and discourse. Defining these roles might go far to defuse the skepticism of folks like me, who look upon phenomena like 1Si’s newfound enthusiasm for localization more as a race to scour a depleted funding trough than anything approximating genuine concern.

Working together … what a wild and crazy concept for New Albany and environs! Pardon me if I don’t hold my breath waiting for unity to emerge.

In all sincerity, it’s too bad that organizations with the sanction and wherewithal to act took so very long to conclude that action is merited. However, as for those enduring clichés of youth, another hoary favorite perhaps says it best:

Better late than never.