Fairfield At A Crossroads

Our Fairfield economy is at a crossroads. There are things that need to be done through bold leadership to help us weather the storm and preserve our future. The world of business doesn’t have to all funnel through Wal-Mart.

Having said that….I have studied the data from a recent survey commissioned by the Y-Fairfield group headed by Luke Harl. If you believe in evidence-based decision making, this document can lay the groundwork to simple steps.

The study probes potential business owners…asking them what barriers prevent them from opening the doors to a new Fairfield business.  Potential business owners clearly need financing. Fortunately, we have a number of great lending institutions in this community. I don’t think we would have to do much to prompt to get them to offer ways to educate on this topic.

One out of every three potential business owners say they just don’t know how to run a business. Once again…there are plenty of people in town who do. I’m sure they would be mentors for the good of Fairfield if only they were asked. Seems like something the Chamber of Commerce could spearhead---with possible help from the college’s continuing education arm. 

Almost 60-percent of those surveyed say they would support seminars on customer service, social media and marketing technology. You know, I happen to know a large media company---with four radio stations and a social media platform which gets three-quarter of a million clicks a month. We can help with digital marketing education. That’s our job.  

I have no doubt our downtown can become more vibrant. Small business is not dead here. We don’t need to continue to enrich the heirs of Sam Walton. I look to the chamber, the college and city hall. We need a plan. I’m in. Who is with me?