Corbett Announces Effort to Fight
For Immediate Release
July 29, 2009
Contact: Ron Corbett
Phone: 319.573.5050
(Cedar Rapids) Mayoral candidate Ron Corbett today announced his plan to fight the growing unemployment in the Cedar Rapids community.
"Not that long ago, we led the state in job growth. Today, Cedar Rapids has the highest unemployment rate in the state among urban communities," said Corbett. "We have to end the culture of delay and change the way we think about job growth."
Corbett's five point plan includes a repeal of the current Cedar Rapids economic development initiative, which Corbett says has led to to a rejection of local startups needing a helping hand after the flood.
"The city's economic development plan was written pre-flood and pre-recession. It may have made sense then, but now it represents a bias against small business startups. We need a new plan that allows each business plan to be measured on its long term merits and not on its short term prospects," said Corbett.
Corbett's plan calls for the creation of a Small Business Council that would meet with the new mayor on a weekly basis, as well as a resolution passed by the City Council to 'buy local'.
Beyond that, Corbett also indicates he would lead recruitment tours selling the benefit of creating jobs in Cedar Rapids to companies looking to expand or relocate.
"Just as a successful business must sell its products and services, a mayor must sell its community to those who are not familiar with it. I would view that as an important job of the next mayor," said Corbett.
Corbett, who previously served as President of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce and now serves as Vice President of CRST, is uniquely suited to lead a battle against unemployment. In addition, Corbett has extensive experience with state government, due to the 13 years he served as a state legislator, including five years as Speaker of the Iowa House.
To see full details and an explanation of Corbett's plan, refer to "The Corbett 5 Point Game Plan for Job Growth" document below, or go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102654468786&s=212&e=001EN9Bd0eK4xumRe-I9G7Pmoom4Pu3a1enA7kATKv1kUlyY19Rbh0P4TK60vBHJw1B7n4ugLO3T6YZU0IgnUJN_I3NyuFADp0Bsg_8xtX6NLu0uur0fjz4TA== and view the video titled "Jobs for Cedar Rapids" on Corbett TV.
###
The Corbett 5 Point Game Plan for Job Growth
1-Buy Local Resolution
Our City Council should pass a resolution urging private and public organizations to buy local, buy Iowa products and support the workers and their employers trying to get back on their feet after the devastating floods. While it may seem symbolic to some, the city needs to provide leadership in the area of as many dollars to stay in Cedar Rapids at this time as possible.
2-Repeal the Five Point 'Anti-Development' Ordinance
In May 2008, the city council put in place a five point economic development plan. Unfortunately, it has become an 'anti-development' plan since the flood. This plan, put in place before the flood, ties the hands of city leaders who may want to help small businesses. The plan has a bias toward larger, more established companies, rather than local startup companies who may be the next big company in town. Once this is repealed, use the available funds to evaluate each proposal on its long term merits instead its immediate benefits.
3-New Business Recruitment Tour
As Mayor, I will lead recruitment tours with business and labor leaders to persuade job creators and corporations to locate new jobs in our community. We must do a better job of selling the benefits of our community and that requires local leaders willing to put in the miles traveling for our community.
4-Small Business Council
No elected official has all the answers. As mayor, I will meet every week with local small businesses in an open forum to learn how the city can help local businesses. Together, we will develop a strategy to help local job creators succeed in our community.
5-Change in Attitude Toward Business
We need to support and celebrate risk takers who start businesses. When we say Cedar Rapids is 'open for business' it needs to be more than just a slogan. More than just changes in taxation or laws, a change to an attitude that embraces all job creators, from the very small to the very large, will make a difference. All city employees and elected officials need to actively encourage local employers in their efforts to create jobs and succeed. A positive mayor and city council can create an infectious attitude in favor of job creation.
Paid for by Corbett for Mayor
###
We have had the opportunity to know Ron Corbett dating back when he represented us in the State House. I enjoyed a visit with him after this week's Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting I asked him some questions about his candidacy and some of our concerns about the City of Cedar Rapids. He mentioned he was going to have an announcement this week. It looks like this is it.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment