Build a community, not just an economy Save article Remove saved article

I have travelled all across this great country of ours, from community to community, and one thing has always stood out … everyone wants economic success. Why wouldn’t they? Economic success helps our communities grow and become stronger. The challenge most communities face, however, is that they forget that developing their economy is a virtually fruitless effort, unless they focus on building a strong community first.

Communities often work on building a business-friendly mantra and reputation. Their singular goal is to attract new businesses and industries, and retain current ones, through a regime of low taxes, reduced regulations, and shop-local initiatives. Those are great undertakings; but, if that is where all the community’s efforts go, such initiatives alone are rarely enough to ensure enduring prosperity.