fedex, greensboro, greensboro chamber of commerce, growth, j. david jameson,
When FedEx began considering cities for its $300 million mid-Atlantic hub‚ Greensboro was among the first to make the list. The area’s strengths included air and ground transportation infrastructure‚ workforce‚ and geographic location.
In 1998‚ FedEx officially chose Greensboro over cities such as Charlotte‚ Raleigh‚ Kinston‚ Greenville/Spartanburg‚ and Columbia‚ S.C. The new facility is estimated to have an economic impact of more than $1.4 billion over 10 years and create 1‚500 direct jobs in the area.
“We see it as a very positive development for the community‚” says J. David Jameson‚ president and CEO of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “Currently we’re working to help area businesses make the most of procurement opportunities that will come along with FedEx opening its hub here.”
The procurement initiative rolled out by the chamber‚ known as HubPlus‚ will help ensure that local businesses have the ability to bid on contracts during construction and operation of the FedEx hub.
With the FedEx facility scheduled to be up and running by 2009‚ HubPlus is focusing on community awareness about the project.
“Eventually we want FedEx to use Greensboro as a model community for its future expansions into other cities‚” says Jameson‚ who joined the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce in 2000.
HubPlus is one of many projects that stem from the chamber’s comprehensive 2003-2005 strategic plan. Several initiatives are scheduled to be rolled out in 2004.
One of those‚ the Minority Business Accelerator‚ is designed to help minority business owners grow their companies by providing support services geared to increase business capacity.
“There aren’t as many minority-owned businesses in Greensboro as we’d like to see‚” Jameson says. “The goal of the MBA program is to help existing minority-owned businesses become more successful with the support and involvement of the community.”
The chamber is also executing a $1 million community image campaign that includes the production of a local television program called Greensboro ConnecTV. The series of 10 episodes‚ airing on Greensboro Cable Channel 13‚ covers a wide range of local topics‚ with spotlights on neighborhood life‚ diversity‚ economic development‚ arts and culture‚ sports and recreation‚ and people and entertainment.
“It’s important to improve our self image and have a positive outlook on how we feel about our community‚” Jameson says. “Greensboro is a great place to live and do business‚ and through the image campaign we want to make sure area residents are as proud of Greensboro as we are.”
As the chamber moves into the future‚ its focus will remain on supporting projects that enhance members’ profitability‚ build a better community‚ support small businesses and develop future leaders‚ Jameson says.
Story by Valerie Shead
Photo by Antony Boshier
