This will be yet another blow for Greensboro's most economically devastated neighborhoods.
Has the City of Greensboro entered into negotiations with the National Guard to buy the property to establish a jobs training center there to address Greensboro's lack of qualified workers as addressed by Dr Andrew Brod in his column, Questioning the 'Carolina Comeback'? (PDF file)
The Armory is located less than 1/4 mile from E Wendover, just over a mile from the eastern campus of Guilford Technical Community College and roughly the same distance from NC A&T University. It's roughly a mile from the A&T University Farm and less than 3 Miles from the Nano school. If more college campuses will be great for downtown Greensboro's economy then surely another campus in East Greensboro would be a boost to East Greensboro's economy.
Dr Brod attributes Greensboro's slow recovery to a lack of qualified workers. He says talk of a comeback is premature.
The Charlotte Observer says its a state wide problem and Dr Brod says Greensboro lags behind Charlotte.
According to the News & Record:
"So why is Greensboro’s unemployment rate consistently among the highest in the state among metro areas while Winston-Salem is among the lowest?"
Greensboro "leaders" and economic development "gurus" like to tout the idea of a Research Triangle Park of sorts to be built near by but an RTP solution will require 50 years to work and we still don't have a work force educated to do the jobs.
And then there's the matter of the jobs-- what jobs? Greensboro's current incentive programs haven't attracted the auto plants and other giant manufacturers that every city in the nation is seeking to attract. And they're not going to. If Greensboro is going to be successful, incentives must be tailored towards small business clusters that make tangible goods with lasting value and training the workers needed by Greensboro's small businesses in the neighborhoods that most need jobs and economic development. Fancy buildings aren't required-- just roofs over our heads.
The City of Greensboro has over $272 Million Dollars in savings investment accounts, there is absolutely no reason why this cannot be done and it will require ZERO tax increases. Here's an opportunity, Greensboro, seize it. Put our money where your mouth is!
