Issue Position: Jobs

Issue Position

My family and I went down to Atlanta, Georgia for our family reunion in 2007. I visit Atlanta about once every one to two years. Usually, I stay with best friend that I met in college when I attended Cleveland State University. But when my family and I went down there last summer he said we couldn't stay with him because he did not have any water. They have a water shortage in Atlanta. He said that they don't have any water in Atlanta, but ATLANTA DOES HAVE JOBS!

Population Growth follows Job Growth and Job Growth follows The Expansion of Entrepreneurial Investment Capital!

The Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area's population over the last 25 years as doubled. It has increased 100%. During that same period the population of the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area has increased by only 4%.

This is the tale of two cities. The reason for the incredible growth in Atlanta's population is the growth of jobs and the reason for the stagnate population growth in Cleveland is the lack of growth in jobs.

Jobs are growing in Atlanta because Entrepreneurs want to expand there because of their friendly labor environment. Jobs are not flowing to Cleveland because Entrepreneurs avoid expanding here because they feel that we have a "Hostile Labor Environment". I don't know if this reputation is deserved or not. But it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the reputation exists and it is killing us. And until that reputation is changed, Cleveland will never grow fast and will never prosper.

Our kids have to leave town if they want a job! I tell all young people here to get educated in a marketable field and then get out of Cleveland! Go to Phoenix, Go to San Diego, Go to Charlotte, Even Go to Columbus, But GET OUT OF CLEVELAND until things change!

Even if you have to go to Atlanta, go. Atlanta may not have any water, BUT ATLANTA HAS GOT JOBS!

Source