Recently I expressed interest in obtaining a seat on the Common Council for the City of Buffalo.  In a local on-line site I provided my e-mail address for any questions.  I received this communication from a local business organization and I would like to share my response with you.

“I just wanted to send a quick note.  I run an economic development organization, primarily privately funded, aimed at promoting export-led growth in the area.  We are a memebership based organization and represent roughly 165 companies in the area.

I would be very interested in hearing more about your platform to businesses in the district.  Our organization represents several companies in the Ellicott district and they are quite concerned about the unpredictable environment currently occurring.  They obviously understand as it is the results of poor judgment on behalf of their elected officials, but they are concerned still.   I would be interested in speaking with you regarding your approach to the business community, your strategy in terms of economic development and your willingness or conditions upon working with businesses in the district.”

Now, considering the fact that this is not an election by the people of the district but rather a selection process, I responded:

Chris, sorry it took so long for me to respond, but I found your e-mail in my spam folder this morning.

Economic development in the Ellicott District is of prime importance for the growth of our city.  Without meeting with your representatives, however, I could not possibly pin point the answers to their questions and concerns.  However, since I am only an applicant for the current vacancy, I do not believe I could or should have such a meeting until such time as the Common Council makes this most important decision.

That being said let me give you an overall view of my concerns for businesses within our city.  Currently codes, permits, regulations and practices overseen by the city are, indeed, archaic and not conducive to economic growth.  The processes currently in place cause delay, frustration and stifle the best of intentions of current and future business opportunity and development.  There is, supposedly, a new front of SmartCode that is being developed and will be presented, but what to do before then or even after is the concern that needs to be addressed now (particularly since these types of studies, research and presentations throughout Buffalo and WNY seemingly are historically announced with no follow through).  So let’s take your interests one by one and please accept my apologies for providing you, thus far, with an overall view rather than specifics at this time.

My approach with the business community would be directly “at the table” with all concerned parties.  Clearing the air, so to speak.  Creating forums along with you, your membership and others to present the issues at hand and most experienced by those businesses who feel they have not been fully heard as well as those who have ideas and concepts worth investigating to assure ease of success for economic growth and development. First and foremost, this meeting of the minds would be to develop a statement of strategic priorities and objectives, what performance indicators have been determined by your operation, partners and others, targets that benefit the businesses and the overall community, a solid platform listing the actions and directions to attain success and who the key contributors are.  There has been much chatter on how rural locations are out of the strategic support loop nationwide, but we have our own issues within our city that must be addressed in a bottom-up approach to truly create a platform for success.

Additionally, if business development is to occur successfully within the city environment, other key players necessary to establish this platform would include recognition at the table of community representatives and concurrent neighborhoods.  Again, historically, besides the lack of zoning and updated codes, the fly in the ointment has been lack of communication between all parties.  When a plan is finally devised and ready for launch, the community members who have been left out of the loop come together and rightly, in some cases, prevent the project or program from proceeding forward.  By adding these folks now, there should be no doubt that all stones were turned to place an effective and collective plan together to assure streamlined success.

Concerns of the past and present of the residential community have included, but are not limited to, environmental issues; job development; best practices follow through; orderly communication; and plant/site maintenance.  Additionally, another point that might make some strong in-roads with the community-at-large would be a commitment from current businesses to assist in the direction for entrepreneurship, even for the smallest business, and the creation of mentoring these entrepreneurs that compliment the quality of life of all residents – a small but doable concession to the community that will provide a trust factor at the table for the “big guys.”  These are minute issues to address to assure community buy-in of the best laid plans for economic development and growth throughout or region.

Basically, to establish economic growth, I truly believe we must have residential growth and opportunity on one hand while also recognizing the need of residential growth which is interdependent upon economic growth – six of one, half dozen of the other, as they say.  Our region seems to be at a crossroads needing both without having one or the other to assure the support mechanisms necessary for strategic planning and success.

Therefore, my strategy in terms of economic development and my willingness or conditions upon working with businesses in the district is an open dialogue with all concerned parties to assure no stone is left unturned, partnering with all parties including the best and brightest from the private and public sector, and a call to action without delay or unwarranted debate from either sector.

I realize this takes a great deal of time and energy and many will consider it going back to Square One.  However, in learning from the past, we can forge a strong platform for economic success.

My willingness is indefinable since economic development is essential and goes hand in hand with the growth of our district, our city and our region.  Your success and partners can make a powerful difference at the table to achieve these goals.

The conditions I would consider as prime motivation for complete community support include allowing all parties a seat at the table to avoid unnecessary delays and stonewalling once the plan is devised (with proper protocol for such meetings to avoid the usual conflict and disruption that seems to occur when these parties come together), along with a willingness on the part of businesses to address the needs of community, education of the community-at large regarding the plans and proposals so no one can say “we didn’t know” and a spirit of collective concern that transcends the current need and looks to the future to assure we are leaving our descendants a legacy of continued success.

However, the Council has yet to post the vacancy, and as a result has yet to determine the individual they consider right for the job at hand.  In the interim, please be advised that I would be willing to follow up with you and become part of the process even if I do not receive the appointment.  My community means too much to me not to be part of the process to create and sustain a positive economic growth.

Thanks for taking the bull by the horns and contacting me.  I look forward to, one day, meeting with you and your partners personally.

My best to you and yours for a Happy Holiday.