Off The Cuff

Room For New Business Here

Posted by: From Arkansas in Business news on Sep 14 2008

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In February, our area was hit by a devastating tornado that took out many businesses, homes and churches. The homes, for the most part, are being rebuilt. Churches have gotten the repairs done and are back to the usual Sunday and midweek services. However, many of the businesses here are either finding new buildings or are not going back to business at all. They are not rebuilding in the same locations. I find that to be disturbing that the owners are not rebuilding or staying. We had a lot of good small businesses here in our area that are now missing. I have no idea if it’s because they could not get the insurance to pay (which can be pretty typical in a disaster situation. Just check out the insurance payouts during the Katrina aftermath) or if they simply did not want to be in business anymore. But the fact is that there are a number of places that are not being rebuilt at all.

Given that, there are a whole lot of places in this area that are ripe for a new business. Frankly, I do not understand why someone or several people with a small business franchise haven’t come along and taken the places that are now bare and gone into business. It just seems to me that this is a growing county. We have more to offer now than ever before. I do not understand it. I suspect that even taxes are cheaper here than in many areas of the country.

This is definitely backwoods America where we live but it is beautiful here with a lot of potential. Despite the fact that we do pay what we consider high gas prices, I suspect that is also lower here than in a number of other places in the country. Our rents are definitely cheaper. And having compared some food prices to friends and family in other states, we do have lower food prices too. What’s not to like? Well, other than inadequate health care. But I believe that if more people come here and demand the health care because they choose to live here, it will improve. It will have to do so. Right? Right.

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