Play it Forward
Posted March 21, 2011
I recently went to the Mississippi Economic Development Conference (MEDC) in Jackson, MS. The VP of Membership from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce was the speaker at one of my sessions. As I sat there listening to him and all of the amazing things going on there, all I could think was, how can we get Meridian to the same "coolness" level as Nashville? It's probably a pipe dream, and I get that, but I love that the possibility exists. I have always loved the phrase "go big or go home," and that's how I feel about being at the EMBDC and working to develop our community. There's no point in me being here if I'm not going to dream big and try to make some things happen. So what exactly do we want to happen? What image do you think Meridian should have? I look at our history with Jimmie Rodgers, Paul Davis, David Ruffin and so many others, and it seems logical that we should be a "music town." Our history gave us the foundation, but how, for lack of a better phrase, do we get our present to live up to our past? I, for one, think that living in a place driven by music and entertainment would be amazing. Music is a common denominator that brings people together, as it goes beyond race, creed, gender and age. Entertainment in itself brings tourism, which in return builds up a community, and then provides better jobs and a better quality of life. It's a domino effect of economic development. So this leads me back to my original thoughts, how do we get there?
Having Meridian designated as the first in the state to have an Arts and Entertainment district is a huge start to our progress. So we now have the incentive, since those who build in the district will receive tax deductions, etc., and now we need the community involvement. This task doesn't just fall to the passionate musicians and wealthy benefactors. I may not have a lot of money, nor can I carry a tune in a bucket, but I have time and I have creativity. I am happy to give both to grow our area into what I absolutely know it has the potential to be. This is my chance to help drive Meridian forward into a thriving city, filled with music and possibility. So, now I ask... how are you going to pitch in?
Meredith Rea
Public Relations Coordinator
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