[Vision2020] Economics of Business

[Pat Kraut]

"and tell Wal-Mart they are not welcome in our community."

  And just how do we then say not on our border either?? We won't be able to stop it so we should instead find a way to work with it. How many businesses can we drive away and expect our 'working force' to continue to shop at the places that are not the least expensive? If not here Lewiston is not that far away and neither is Pullman...we could close far more doors if we are not honest about these questions.  I would also like to see some of the work done at the University stay here but we already lost SEL and I don't see any change in attitude since then. We have recently shut down another possible business and I can't imagine one that will meet the 'requirements' of some of the most vocal residents. It is nice for those comfortable people to make sure no one else gets there also. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Keli Keach 
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:25 PM
  Subject: [Vision2020] Economics of Business


  Jeff H.,
   I agree with many of your points in your argument especially when you say,
  "On the other hand, in our economic system, no business has an absolute right to exist simply because it exists.  A business earns its right to exist by meeting customers' needs and wants.  A successful business must expect to compete - or become
 extinct."However, a community has the right to help protect the businesses that exist in their communities. Many consumers think about the how they can save a dime now but fail to realize how their actions today will effect what they may want tomorrow. If they end up shopping at "Spence Hardware" a quarter of the time they did before a Supercenter was built they might not realize that they are directly affecting the business of that store and that eventually the small hardware store may close. I can imagine those same consumers saying, "It's a shame. I really liked shopping there when I needed this or that, and their employee's always treated me so well."In retrospect, those same individuals might also say, "I wonder if it was the Supercenter." How many times do you drive through the small towns around here and see all the boarded up businesses. Is this the reality of the business world? Absolutely. But at the same time why not try to keep a community thriving with a variety of businesses? The statistics are out there on what has happened, good and bad, to the cities and towns who have allowed a Supercenter to locate there. I think it's our job to discuss how a Wal-Mart would impact the local area and then decide, as a community, whether or not we want the changes it would bring.  We could decide to let them in and cast our vote through our shopping habits (or lack there of). Or, after reviewing the facts, we may decide to take a stand now, as so many other towns have already done, and tell Wal-Mart they are not welcome in our community.
 Keli 


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