My heart explodes when I think of the amazing volunteer activities that motivate and consume so many of my friends. Their energy is constantly building a better coastal region through efforts at a soup kitchen, Boys and Girls Clubs, fundraising to fight cancer, etc.
Their efforts are varied and important. Still, each of these friends would agree that all these efforts are futile without good-paying jobs to reduce poverty and increase education.
The need for jobs is clear. What seems to be less clear is how to make a lasting impact. Sometimes we get disillusioned by counting the number of jobs rather than the wage and social impact of each job. We often praise the addition of one more job cleaning a hotel room at wages too small to crack the poverty ceiling. We forget that the profits created are often times shipped back to corporate headquarters in Nebraska, Texas and beyond.
Similarly, we might get excited about the economic activity created by extending St. Patrick’s Day four days so more thin-margined T-shirts and trinkets can be sold to make Chinese manufacturers fat and happy.
When my 12-year-old read about the decision, he immediately questioned, “Wow, how much will that cost to have all the extra police needed to manage all that drinking, traffic and people?”
Out of the mouths of babes.
Of course, I want you to attend the parade and enjoy our gorgeous city. And maybe drink some yummy local brews such as those from Southbound or Service breweries and don a local T-shirt, perhaps from Savannah’s own Lettee’s or 13 Bricks.
I also ask you to recognize that not all jobs positively affect a community. Some have the nutritional value of a Krispy Kreme doughnut. They are delicious on the intake and perhaps OK in moderation, but they are sure to deteriorate our long-term health as a staple to the economic diet of the city.
High-paying jobs in fast-growing companies paint a different picture.
Silicon Valley Bank’s 2014 Innovation Economy Outlook reports: “The innovation economy is big — and getting bigger. And it’s moving fast. It has momentum. It is a powerful force for job creation and economic growth across the United States, from early stage startups
to large successful companies.”
Don’t just read about the innovation economy. Come see for yourself. Every year The Creative Coast hosts FastPitch, our own version of Shark Tank, where we put new entrepreneurs on stage for a day of exciting and innovative three-minute pitches. Previous FastPitch contestants include some great local startups such as GreenBug, Bowerbags and Aetho, all of which are making wonderful strides in their businesses.
This year the diversity of products and service areas includes planes, hunting, boats, food, cycling, even ancient Chinese trading. The contestants represent varying races, ethnicity, gender and age. Some contestants are students from Georgia Southern, SCAD, Armstrong and Savannah State.
FastPitch is an excellent platform to help fuel Savannah’s innovative economy. It’s a process where budding entrepreneurs receive valuable advice and counseling on how to present, explain and pitch their ideas.
It’s an opportunity for those about to launch a new product or service to refine their business plans with the help of experienced mentors. And for some deserving entrepreneurs, FastPitch is the opportunity to obtain venture capital and/or investment partners.
If you have ever questioned, “Where will my children and grandchildren find meaningful and satisfying employment in Savannah?” FastPitch has the answers.
On March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can have a day of delightful glimpses at Savannah’s positive future, plus convenient parking, delicious PERC coffee and a great lunch catered by Wright Square Cafe, all for a meager $10.
If you are not yet sold on the power of the innovative economy, I encourage you to join us next week at the Creators’ Foundry for FastPitch 2015 where you can see for yourself our road to a better future.
Bea Wray is the executive director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Bea can be reached at 912-447-8457 or bea@thecreativecoast.org
By Bea Wray