The Big Picture on Economic Growth
by Howard M . Holley
From his desk in Jacksonville , Aundra Wallace takes a broader perspective on economic growth than most people . As president of the JAXUSA Partnership , it ’ s part of the job description . But that 50,000-foot view doesn ’ t obscure realities on the ground for real people .
“ When you think about any community , any region , it ’ s about people ,” Wallace said . “ And what is it people look for ? People look for quality of life .”
Aundra Wallace
A big piece of the quality-of-life puzzle is economic . Not just in terms of economic development but economic opportunity as well . For Wallace , that begins with what he calls meaningful employment .
“ Meaningful employment is where the person is employed , which allows them to provide the lifestyle they seek , and they can afford the goods and services they want from a family perspective ,” he said . “ It ’ s something that you want to do , that ’ s meaningful . In order for you to get up and do it every day , it has to be meaningful to you .”
Having a skilled workforce that can fill those meaningful jobs is key not only to quality of life but also to economic growth .
“ If you have the talented , skilled workforce in your area , then companies can come to your area and they will be able to establish businesses there ,” Wallace said . “ If you don ’ t have the talented labor force , they are not coming .”
But it takes more than a ready , willing and able workforce . Managing growth and providing the necessary infrastructure to support and sustain growth are also key pieces of the economic puzzle .
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