How Small Towns Can Survive (Cleveland, GA)

The following column appeared in the "White County News" 6/30/2011 where I was a guest columnist.

In my job I drive through small towns throughout the southeast U.S. It saddens me to see these former, vibrant communities withering away. Most people would find easy reasons for the local downfalls, like manufacturing plants closing. There is some truth to this, and of course the long-term trends in demographics point toward moves toward the suburbs, but I would argue the root cause is the locally self destructive historic actions of the communities themselves. I believe there are three distinct errors.

First, "we need a bypass." One can follow US441, US301, or US1 in Georgia and Florida to see numerous examples. Beautiful towns are bypassed by high speed highways giving no reason to slow and take a look. The land on the bypass is commercialized by modern developers building look-a-like cheap structures found anywhere in America. The unique downtown charm of Main Street is then left to die. Ironically, my Garmin GPS has routed me through many towns, instead of the bypass, as the shorter faster route. I have enjoyed this scenic discovery and reminder of small town charm, and enjoy the scenery of the plantation homes, brick buildings, and unique architecture versus the lackluster appearance of the bypass.

Second, “we need a national retailer.” Too often a local lobby to bring a national big box store to town under the guise of job creation turns into job shift and tax incentives amounting to bribery. Sadly, locally spent dollars give way to money transfer outside the local economy. Given the option between a national retailer and a local merchant, most consumers will choose the big store. The Main Street hardware, grocery or auto repair store, where they know your name, is wiped out by the faceless corporation. Of course, the box store provides amenities like longer hours and opening Sundays, but the minimum wage employees don't know the products, customer names, or industry in which they are selling.

Third, “we can’t have alcohol sales.” Respectfully the values of the conservative South must give way to allow beer and wine sales at local restaurants. The primary revenue stream for restaurants is drinks: soda and tea for $2.00, beer and wine for as much as $5.00 a glass. Without this joyful elixir food choices are not gourmet, but relegated to diner-style, low-end choices forcing consumers to look for other options. My preference would be the locally-owned unique establishment with an atmosphere conducive for business or a romantic evening. These establishments spawn the growth of nearby merchants because there is now a reason to be downtown.

Our own town of Cleveland, Georgia is facing tough decisions, but it appears the local political establishment has opened themselves to public opinion. Next time you travel I encourage you to avoid the highway and take a trip through the nearby small towns. Avoid the bypass; choose the “business” route. Don’t eat at a national chain, but find a local restaurant. If you need something, stop at a local merchant, not a national box store. The recipe for success is not difficult, but sadly undoing the prior destruction, or motions set in place, is nearly impossible.