Alan NeSmith
Our community is under attack. Frankly, all communities are under attack. And it is up to each individual community to protect itself or become a memory of the past.
Technology has done a lot of great things for our world with healthcare being at the top of the list. I was able to enjoy a lot more time with my grandparents than they had with their grandparents. The technological advances of modern medicine extended my loved ones’ lives. This allowed more hugs and Christmases together, and it gave our boys the chance to know, form a relationship with and remember the ones who meant so much to me.
On the other hand, technology has crumbled the long-standing pillars of most communities across the great state of Georgia and America. Granddaddy NeSmith, a small-town businessman, has been in heaven for more than a quarter century. I can only imagine his reaction to the thought of being able to order a pacifier or tractor tire from the seat of his pickup and have it delivered to the front door of his house in less than 24 hours.
Yes, the convenience and speed of having products delivered to our doors is quite sweet. However, the damage to small brick and mortar businesses in our downtowns has been devastating. Fortunately, Habersham County is geographically blessed, and people want to visit our area. But for our local businesses to survive it takes more than just tourist dollars. And for our local businesses to thrive, not merely survive, it takes our community focusing their buying power to the products they sell.
Yes, we all know change is inevitable. But when is it too much? Unfortunately, I think we are sitting on the apex of the tipping point.
And then here comes Artificial Intelligence (AI) sprinting into the world. Again, the benefit AI is going to have on modern medicine will literally be a life changing experience. Frankly, it already is. But what is it going to do to a lot of careers hard working American rely on to provide for their family?
Local has never mattered more. And it has never been in more danger.
Habersham County, like every other community across America, is under attack. Do we want our community to become government buildings and nonprofits or do we want to have prosperous downtowns?
At the polls locally, statewide and nationally we can pull the lever of our choice. However, a stronger, more high-octane, immediate tool is our personal spending power. Let’s pledge to not only protect the small businesses or backbones of our community, let’s help them grow and provide more services, products and opportunities for our workforce.
Habersham County, the future of our community rests in our hands. Local Matters.
Alan NeSmith is the chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or anesmith@TheNortheast Georgian.com.