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Gwinnett
businesses deserve
support of local community
By
Bob Foreman
President
Foreman Seeley Fountain -- Architects
Special to GwinnettForum.com
NORCROSS, Ga. , August 10, 2001 - - Why are companies from outside
Gwinnett County so often utilized by Gwinnett business and government
when there are highly qualified firms available right here in metropolitan
Gwinnett? This seems to be a problem across the whole spectrum of
professionals, trades, and service providers. It appears that there
exists an inferiority complex when it comes to hiring from within
Gwinnett, for professionals in the fields of engineering, construction,
interior design, and architecture, and to an extent, in law, accounting
and medicine.
Many professional service businesses have not had a long history
here. That is natural, since Gwinnett is such a young, growing county.
But experienced, highly qualified firms are now working in Gwinnett
in every professional area I know. They deserve our consideration.
Some Gwinnett city and county government entities still seem to
prefer to hire outside the county, as do some developers and businesses.
They may be unaware of the available talent. Or could they feel
that if the professional or tradesman were really any good, they
would not have established their business in Gwinnett? (That is
obviously faulty thinking!) It seems that a "prophet"
is truly "without honor in his own country."
Government and business leaders in some other counties have established
policies to hire only "local talent". Gwinnett businesses
are automatically shut out from working or providing services in
these areas. On the other hand many Gwinnett firms are doing business
all over the metro area and in other parts of Georgia and in other
states and other nations. Yet, they are often passed over for work
right here in Gwinnett.
There are good reasons to hire local businesses. For instance,
Gwinnett architects and engineers are familiar with local building
officials, the fire marshal and health departments. Gwinnett designers
and builders know local codes and how they are interpreted and applied
by local officials. This same principle applies to other professions
and businesses who know their community well.
The most important reason we should be doing business with local
business has to do with "community". When a businessperson
locates in an area, they become a vital part of that community.
They not only pay taxes, they support the economy and the infrastructure.
They support community civic organizations such as Rotary and Kiwanis
and contribute to the United Way and local causes such as Relay
for Life or The Salvation Army. Local businesses become partners
with schools and support activities such as Duluth Fall Festival,
Lilburn Daze, and local arts and cultural events. When local business
people are actively involved in their communities, the community
should return the favor with their support. Local businesses that
are not supported may go somewhere else or close up.
Those I know in business here are proud to be part of the Gwinnett
community and want to serve their neighbors, fellow Gwinnett businesses
and local governments. These firms deserve a chance to submit proposals
for local work, and if qualified, should be considered. It would
good business to hire Gwinnett business.
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