What does Jax have that similar Hartford, Memphis, Buffalo, Rochester doesn't?

[rjp2008]

Drum roll....warm weather, beaches and a nearby port! (duh)

Comparing MSAs, I'm noticing how similar these cities are to Jax. Population roughly the same (yet more spread out here). Solid financial companies prevalent, a decent blue-collar working streak, good schools, some difficult areas, etc.

Memphis, Hartford, Buffalo, Rochester, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas

Often times an argument is made - if only Jax could add a (insert big company or project here) like 5 mil plus Atlanta, Miami, etc (I'm guilty as well). Instead of that, what if attempts were made to lure companies from similar area cities with pops under 1 mil?

And if one wants to be really aggressive about it, why not aim for some of those cities that are losing pop growth? Say hey Buffalo/Rochester - we have roughly the same demographic numbers down here, but we're gaining and growingand would allow your company to expand in the future. And did we mention the warm weather (but with some seasons)?

By the way - Rochester was ranked #6 as most livable Metro areas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York. Why not recruit some of their planners, architects, transport people and get 'em working down here! Same population size, but warmer weather and a nice place to retire in the long run.

Or more collaborative, why not learn from them? I notice these mid-size cities often carve a specific niche among it's sciences. (Imaging and medicine in Rochester for example. Software programming too.) They also intensely promote minor league sports and local flavor (Jax is as well already)

[Driven1]

oooh..oooh...is this like Jeopardy?

"What is: incompetent leadership?"

[Ocklawaha]

Rail HUB and HQ + World Port + excellent highways + excellent air facilities
- state commitment to mass transit
- state commitment to Amtrak
- local vision and planning
= Many bungled opportunities to blow past these has-been cities.

Besides we have the JAGS-GATORS-NOLES-OSPREYS-DOLPHINS-DAWGS all in our back yard.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Drum roll....warm weather, beaches and a nearby port! (duh)

Comparing MSAs, I'm noticing how similar these cities are to Jax. Population roughly the same (yet more spread out here). Solid financial companies prevalent, a decent blue-collar working streak, good schools, some difficult areas, etc.

Memphis, Hartford, Buffalo, Rochester, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas

We just ran a Hartford article and we'll have articles focusing on Buffalo and Rochester soon.  These are cities we already dominate economically for the most part.  However, one thing I noticed about my visits there is that all of them aggressively promote their vibrant sections of the inner city, along with their local culture.  At times it seems we tend to focus on the beaches and golf courses a little too much and not on the areas that people/companies are typically interested in for relocation.

Often times an argument is made - if only Jax could add a (insert big company or project here) like 5 mil plus Atlanta, Miami, etc (I'm guilty as well). Instead of that, what if attempts were made to lure companies from similar area cities with pops under 1 mil?

I think attempts are already made to some degree.  However, it seems we need to complement those attempts by better marketing the things/areas of town that make us unique.   In other words, we need to do a better job of selling Jackson's flavor.  Doing this helps us compete with these cities and the ones with stronger economies like Indianapolis, Nashville, Charlotte, Columbus, etc.

And if one wants to be really aggressive about it, why not aim for some of those cities that are losing pop growth? Say hey Buffalo/Rochester - we have roughly the same demographic numbers down here, but we're gaining and growingand would allow your company to expand in the future. And did we mention the warm weather (but with some seasons)?

Auto manufacturing and steel production are pretty big in the Upstate NY cities.  However, we're losing this fight to our neighbors like Alabama and South Carolina because they are giving away the house to land these types of manufacturing jobs.

By the way - Rochester was ranked #6 as most livable Metro areas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York. Why not recruit some of their planners, architects, transport people and get 'em working down here! Same population size, but warmer weather and a nice place to retire in the long run.

Or more collaborative, why not learn from them? I notice these mid-size cities often carve a specific niche among it's sciences. (Imaging and medicine in Rochester for example. Software programming too.) They also intensely promote minor league sports and local flavor (Jax is as well already)

Their albatross is a combination of cold weather, a change in cross country shipping and a declining industrial base.  Their strong points seem to be successfully marketing the perks of their local flavor.  Our economy is already superior.  So I think the missing element for us is better promoting and enhancing the local areas and things that make Jacksonville unique.

[JOHANNA747]

Hi,
I think that Jax has done well with the Jaguars football team, but I don't really like to attend football games, personally.  If they would stick with promoting their players and coaches to the max, I think Jacksonville could branch into so many areas like entertainment and even more creatively-- movies.  A book deal with the original team players like Mark Brunell and Keenan McCardell and this would  lift up our city the more.  ALL People should be able to take out stock in the Jaguars football seasonal tickets and hire major and minor acts to play and invite all the earth to attend.  Just PUMP up the voulume for the Jags for a while and usher them into a GRand slam SuperBowl that time or life won't forget.  deb of Jacksonville.

[rjp2008]

However, one thing I noticed about my visits there is that all of them aggressively promote their vibrant sections of the inner city, along with their local culture.

One cannot promote something from nothing. There is much of downtown that would scare people away if it was promoted! Need to have a (downtown) flavor first, especially one that tastes good.

At times it seems we tend to focus on the beaches and golf courses a little too much and not on the areas that people/companies are typically interested in for relocation.

Beach isn't promoted enough. It's a Florida beach. None of the other 48 states (excepting Hawaii and California) has what is here - xyz miles of beach that is warm in winter. I'm very glad it's starting to change though - the double highway going up on Beach, a new city center area right off the beach, movie studio, etc.

In other words, we need to do a better job of selling Jackson's flavor.

A flavor sells itself.

[thelakelander]

However, one thing I noticed about my visits there is that all of them aggressively promote their vibrant sections of the inner city, along with their local culture.

One cannot promote something from nothing. There is much of downtown that would scare people away if it was promoted! Need to have a (downtown) flavor first, especially one that tastes good.

We should not isolate downtown as its own island.  We should promote it along with Riverside, San Marco, Murray Hill, Springfield, etc.  When I look at the urban core, I see destinations like Five Points, San Marco Square, the farmer's market and even local restaurants like Jenkins BBQ.  We have local flavor, culture and even foods.  We just continue to overlook and devalue it.

At times it seems we tend to focus on the beaches and golf courses a little too much and not on the areas that people/companies are typically interested in for relocation.

Beach isn't promoted enough. It's a Florida beach. None of the other 48 states (excepting Hawaii and California) has what is here - xyz miles of beach that is warm in winter. I'm very glad it's starting to change though - the double highway going up on Beach, a new city center area right off the beach, movie studio, etc.

Instead of promoting a beach, we should focus on what makes it special compared to any other beach along the Atlantic Coast.

In other words, we need to do a better job of selling Jackson's flavor.

A flavor sells itself.

I guess I may be an exception.  I declined a higher paying job offer in Orlando and took a job here because of Jax's flavor.  Since I had grew up in Florida, the beach did not mean squat because its far from the best in the State.  The river, diverse neighborhoods, the community history, the local restaurants and the area's potential sold me.  All of this was stuff I did not find in the marketing material I had on hand.  It came from extensive research I did on my own and a visit to the city.  To this day I still don't understand why we don't attempt to make better use of the things that make our community unique.  Instead, it feels like we do our best to hide and ignore these assets, while many of our peer communities attempt to preserve and market theirs.

Imo, its difficult for a flavor to sell itself when we keep it locked up in the closet.  Unlock the door, take advantage of our existing assets and lets see what can happen.  If this happens, I think we'll suprise ourselves.

[jeh1980]

oooh..oooh...is this like Jeopardy?

"What is: incompetent leadership?"

Noooo! Incorrect response! What is "the Big I"?

[reednavy]

Although Memphis is one of the largest inland ports in the country.