Ladd: "New Albany Needs New Albany First."

Yesterday, we considered puzzling comments by at-large city council member Kevin Zurschmiede to the effect that when it comes to supporting organizations engaged in economic development efforts, the council wouldn't want to insult those who've been ignored for doing so little for so long, assuming it can continue avoiding a determination of who is actually doing what for whom, or not.

The following is submitted by Mike Ladd, speaking for himself as a private citizen, and not in his capacity as Executive Director of the Urban Enterprise Association.

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“We have met the enemy and he is us!” ... New Albany Needs New Albany First.

Why shouldn’t the New Albany City Council vote Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) monies for New Albany First?

Only a few months old, without full-time paid staff, with a minimal budget, this organization has demonstrated an ability to produce a high quality product. Simultaneously, it has demonstrated a want existing amongst local businesses (independent and not) to keep dollars local.

Already they have brought in a nationally recognized leader to speak about “Buy Local, Buy Independent”. They did this by finding a local sponsor. They have hosted educational discussions on various subjects featuring local businesspersons who have opened new and independent businesses. If past is prologue; these events will only grow. The topics are timely and the desire to share experiences is tangible. It is obvious local businesses are seeking the support and forum this organization provides. Finding local support, this new, completely volunteer organization has demonstrated a steady membership growth in a remarkably short period.

New Albany comes late to the table. Jeffersonville has three such buy local programs. Clarksville has its English Avenue Business Association, as well as the Green Tree Mall business association. One Southern Indiana has created a shop local program north of the river. Within the tri-county area (Jefferson County Kentucky and Clark and Floyd Counties, Indiana) there exist 101 recognized cities, towns and villages. I can’t prove it, but I would bet each of those communities has some form of local group working to keep their dollars home and bring ours into their community. Yet, New Albany has no such program of its own.

This funding request is an experiment. If it works, it creates parameters for future requests. Organizations making similar demands will have to meet the same rigid standards that NAFirst will have set; under the same exacting conditions. That is – and should be - a daunting prospect. The bar will be set high.

Functionally, project-by-project funding will not work. Too much time will pass, the group cannot do any long-range planning, and opportunities pass quickly. NAFirst has submitted a program of work, as I understand it with a proposed budget. Those are real projects. Fund their projects fully and let the seminars get underway. To be required to approach city council every time for program funding creates the exact situation that we wish to avoid. It gives control of the program to the council, not the organization.

If funding administrative costs is the issue, then remove it for the time being. Fund the organization so its projects can be carried out, at the same time, set a fair deadline by which they must succeed and then return for a second round that could include admin costs. At that time, if the product is not as advertised, don’t fund the request.

Take a chance, let’s take a walk on the weird side and do something positive. If NAFirst fails, at least we tried. If we don’t make the attempt . . . we’ve failed anyway.

Stop arguing about the route and concentrate on the destination. Let’s begin keeping our dollars in New Albany (and bring in theirs) and compete against them as hard as they compete against us.

With everything NAFirst has already accomplished, I wonder what would happen if we stopped bickering over small details and actually supported them, gave them a solid financial footing and allowed them to work their magic. Now wouldn’t that be something?

Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us!” That certainly seems true in New Albany. When the next group makes a similar request, it will be under different circumstances and conditions. Then the discussion begins anew.

In the meantime . . . Get over it. Let’s stop stepping on our own feet. Let’s do this thing.