Fannin ready for recovery

BY GLENN HARBISON, PUBLISHER Monday, January 19, 2009 2:22 PM CST Finding bad news on any given economic front is not a hard job these days.

Nationally, Circuit City is closing all its stores. Here in the Southeast, Toyota has just built a new plant in Alabama, but will not install the machines and workers to make cars. Here at home, Goody’s is closing its doors.

Simply blaming the economy for these failures is not fair.

Circuit City has a reputation for lousy customer service and not aiming for long-range success.

Anyone who compares car prices knows the foreign cars are no longer the bargains they once were compared to American-built models. A repair bill for a foreign car is often double or more for the same repair to an American car. And, more importantly, American-made automobiles have consistently improved in quality, catching up and in many cases surpassing their foreign competitors.

Goody’s suffered from management problems, spending every dollar it could get its hands on to build huge, fancy stores, and trying to flood highly competitive markets. Locally, though, the Goody’s store was said to be the best in the company for generating profit.

But, all is not gloom and doom. Good economic news still exists.

Stocks were up last Friday, signaling a second comeback. Volkswagen gained market share, which strengthened its commitment to build its $1 billion plant in Chattanooga, a plant that will have a positive effect on Fannin County and the Copper Basin.

Good news is abundant here at home.

The promise of brighter days was obvious last week when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce held its annual orientation session. The meeting serves to welcome new board members, introduce the new officers for the year, and give an economic overview of the county.

George Slusser, who is extremely knowledgeable in economics, talked about where we have been as a nation and where we are going. He looked at some current predictions and showed how they line up with historical data.

As he noted, the one thing we should all remember is that America has seen hard times before and has survived them before. We will do the same now. The cycle of good and bad has always existed and it always will.

The figures compiled by the chamber staff prove Fannin County is ready to recover and in a good position to success quickly.

For instance,

Fannin County led a six-county region including Towns, Union, Pickens, Lumpkin, and Gilmer in tourist growth between 2006 and 2007. Fannin County was up 5.9 percent. Towns County actually saw a .6 percent decline.

Guests registering at the chamber office have increased steadily. 2008 was up 8.9 percent over 2007, which had increased 3.0 percent over 2006, and 2006 was up 11.5 percent over 2005.

These numbers mean people are coming.

They are also spending money.

Tourists spent $1,570,000 more in 2007 than in 2006. That is a six percent increase.

Tourist spending generated $830,000 in local sales tax in 2007.

Tourist spending generated an annual payroll of $6,490,000 in 2007, which would average 330 jobs at $9.45/hour.

And, tourists are staying.

Visitors spent $9,895,700 on lodging rentals in 2007, up from $8,418,765 in 2006.

Besides these black and white figures, I have my own view of the economic picture, a more simplified version.

For instance, downtown Blue Ridge is packed all weekend. “You can’t stir ’em with a stick,” describes the scene.

If I leave work after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, I can forget a quick jump onto Hwy. 515 to make the turn at McKinney Road. The highway is packed with folks coming to the mountains.

The same goes for Sunday evening. Driving south on Hwy. 515 is worse than any rush hour I’ve ever imagined for the mountains.

We, here in the mountains, offer the peace and pace people want. They will come back.

So, what do we do?

We don’t act like Circuit City. We have to be nice to our guests. They are our customers.

We don’t act like Toyota and take things for granted, thinking we will always be on top.

We don’t act like Goody’s and spend money trying to be something we are not.

In fact, we don’t act at all. We continue being the friendly, hard-working mountain folks we always have been.

We work at getting better. And, when the national recovery comes, we will be in the lead, just like we already are.-------------------------------------------------
From the News Observer, thought it was a good article also shows how much tourists contribute to this area, so it would be wise if locals and tourists can both co exist in this wonderful area.

This actually seemed like The N.O. had grasped most of a clue! At least it wasn't clueless like many in the county still are... They are finally beginning to recognize and promote the role that Georgia's SECOND LARGEST INDUSTRY (Tourism) plays in our economic well-being.

The only I thing I take real issue is the part about what does the county need to do to do well in the tourist industry when they say this..

In fact, we don’t act at all. We continue being the friendly, hard-working mountain folks we always have been.

While I think I understand what he is trying to say, I think that "don't act at all..." is a recipie for disaster. If Fannin, dosen't act and continually strive to improve itself, other surrounding towns and counties will be - to Fannin's and Blue Ridge's detriment. Fannin has to make itself BETTER than Ellijay, Blairsville, Dahlonega, Helen, Clayton, Hiwassee, Murphy, etc (they also have "friendly, hard-working mountain folks" too). Dollars that go to those communities don't end up in local pockets here and those towns are very much trying to improve themselves, attract interest and investment dollars and are working hard to do so, just like Blue Ridge and Fannin should be at all times. But at least the article is certainly on the right track and does bring out some important concepts.

If you rest on your laurels too much, you will get passed by eventually - especially in 2009.

a positive article for sure! although the numbers reflected the " BOOM " from 2006 to 2007, before the " KABOOM " of late 2008, this economic growth should create positive outlook for the future of fannin and the surrounding area. the growth here, and in almost every other part of the country, sadly will be a slow and painstakingly difficult process, at best for the next few years. we all find ourselves, and most through no fault of their own, in a serious economic situation.( thanks again DC ) but this is of course not the first recession nor the last ,the hard working citizens of this republic will have to dig out of. keep the faith and hope. it will get better.

So, what do we do?

We don’t act like Circuit City. We have to be nice to our guests. They are our customers.

We don’t act like Toyota and take things for granted, thinking we will always be on top.

We don’t act like Goody’s and spend money trying to be something we are not.

We continue being the friendly, hard-working mountain folks we always have been.

We work at getting better. And, when the national recovery comes, we will be in the lead, just like we are already


What I quoted in Bold, I find to be sound advice...as to exactly how we should all move forward...to continue to do our best to bring our little piece of Heaven success on a large scale. I'll tell you I can gripe as well as the best of them when I don't get my way or I don't like what I read or see happening in our town. What I have learned over the years is griping does not solve a thing. It only adds to the problem. It is far better to put our energy into finding solutions that we can all live with rather then spending that energy complaining about our fellow neighbor or the good people that come to help spend money in our town. If we are honest we know that there are a lot of Good people who do not live here that do spend time in our Mountains. They are not all bad and they are not all out to change everything or out to get us. Lets try to all get along. We can do that without tearing the heart and soul of the mountains to pieces. It does not have to be black or white. We can all find a neutral ground to move froward on and bring peace and success to everything and hopefully everyone. That to me is a good plan. The alternative of fighting each other and pointing fingers all the time only wastes time and further sinks our town and eventually will give us all a bad name.

AMEN , brother

I totally agree with Cowboy. I think one of the ways to move forward is to get people into public office that care about the community and take the appropriate action to improve the community.

Wildman

The true people of this area that are kind, helpful and treat us like one of you is what makes us come back year after year. (actually a few times a year)We're never treated like you're out just to get our money but more like a friend. If this never changes my quiet little getaway may grow into something bigger but never better.From cabin rental companies to restaurants and even fishing charters I've never been to a better place. living in Florida, the tourist capital of the world, we could really learn alot from the nice people of Fannin County. Now if we could only get a beer or glass of wine with dinner.......................

When you first visited here could you drink with dinner no...actually ya could if ya just brought your own. Believe me their only out for your money so don't kid yourself. Floridians are Georgias Mexicans we can't close that border either. I seen a vanity plate that said "GOBK2FL" today and a bumper sticker that said "Florida called it wants all the Village idiots to come back". Trust me you and your sunburnt boyfriend and your tea cup poodle repersent nothing but a dollar bill. Typical Floridiot wanting to change Fannin County..hey they pour in Atlanta and its a closer drive.

Yeah well, they also have pouring licenses NOW in Fannin County too. Boo hoo!

Wonder if Thurbert Baker has responded to Mr. Webb's request yet on "this proposed ordinance"?

You can't wait ta put your pinky up when sipping your wine in public just like in Atlanta or Florida can ya.....good boy