As published in Toledo Business Journal - May 1, 2020
North Star Bluescope Steel recently invested $700 million in an expansion project
An Action against COVID-19’s impact in NWO
Initiative aimed at improving attitudes in the business community
For the past many weeks, there has been a nearly 24/7 focus on the coronavirus and its impact. The news is full of information about the cost in human lives, and also the damage to the economy and the businesses that drive its growth.
Any solution to winning the battle against this disease requires that progress to arrest its spread continue.
And fixing the damaged economy in the Region will involve improving the damaged attitudes and “psychology” of business leaders who make the decisions to retain current employees and add new personnel.
A critical component of successful regional economic development is the positive attitudes and “psychology” of area business leaders.
An Action that can be taken
An initiative in northwest Ohio has begun— with the involvement of a number of area Chambers of Commerce and Associations around the Region— to begin the long, hard work of improving the damage to attitudes and “psychology” of area business leaders.
The initiative is an effort to divert some of the attention being given to the coronavirus, and instead redirect it toward the POSITIVE economic development projects that are continuing to advance in the Region. These projects are aimed at retaining current jobs and adding new jobs at businesses throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Toledo Business Journal (TBJ) is expending significant effort recruiting area Chambers of Commerce, Associations, and other organizations to assist. TBJ is making its publications containing positive economic development news available to the members of participating organizations— at no cost during this period.
Participating Chambers and Associations
Participating Chambers of Commerce and Associations have agreed to contact their members through their email databases, newsletters, and other communications to provide an internet link to TBJ’s digital issues. Access to these digital editions at no cost will let business professionals throughout the Region forward this POSITIVE news to other employees, customers, suppliers, and associates, if they choose.
The commitments made by participating organizations in phase one of this initiative will result in thousands of area business professionals receiving new digital access to this focused economic development information. The digital version will allow them to forward this news to many more business professionals.
A Special Appeal
Another part of this initiative involves a request to companies in the Region who are implementing development projects for their businesses. Now more than ever, it is important that area business decision-makers learn about new investment being placed, current jobs being retained, and the addition of new jobs to the Region.
This POSITIVE economic development information is the right medicine to heal damaged attitudes and “psychology.”
Toledo Business Journal is making a Special Appeal to area companies advancing development projects to allow us to share this important news with senior business leaders throughout the Region.
Additional support needed
Area Chambers of Commerce, Associations, and other organizations not yet involved are invited to participate in this initiative. Participating organizations are able to give their members an Action that can be taken AGAINST COVID-19’s impact in our Region.
Contact Toledo Business Journal at editor@toledobiz.com to learn more about participating in this effort.
