Just last week 106.9 The Light spent the day broadcasting from Rutherford County. What a treat to have an organization like that come to our community! How sad though that the reason they came to is because our community is listed as one of the most needy in America. If nothing else this should call to our attention that there is a Great Need for Change.

Last Sunday at the 1st Annual Day of Worship a young minister came up to me and began to tell me a story. He had secured a semi-truck load of clothes and had organized a mission trip to the hills of Tennessee. He and his team spent the weekend ministering and giving out clothes. He and his team were only able to give away a third of the items that they had taken with them and returned somewhat dejected. Upon arriving home he read an Associated Press article that stated Rutherford County was ranked 13th in the nation (with a population greater than 25,000) whose economic health had deteriorated between April 2008 to April 2009. “Why,” he asked me bewildered, “did I go to Tennessee?”

Once upon a time the south was a giant in the cotton and tobacco industry but times changed and so did the industry. We adapted and diversified. Recently, the south and specifically Rutherford County relied of the textile industry as its primary source of jobs and revenue. However, change came as it always does and the textile industry moved on. The closing of factories and the subsequent loss of jobs left an unprepared community without an identity, without a source of export and with very little hope. The transition in the textile industry did not happen overnight nor did it really take anyone by surprise. It could be seen on the horizon for years like a storm drifting in over the dry plains. Change was coming and we could see it but judging by where we are today we did not adequately prepare for it.

So today we sit in the unenviable position of being on a list of the most economically distressed communities in the United States of America. Here is the solemn truth of the matter. Millions of people across America skimmed over the article saw the name of our county and then with casual ease and without pausing simply turned the page never to give us another thought. Life is always bringing about Change. The question is whether or not we are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that are forced upon us when that Change arrives.

How people perceive us is going to determine how they interact with us. When people see the list of the top 25 counties in which to live, work and retire they naturally are curious as to what makes that place so great. In the same manner, when they view a list of the top 25 counties for unemployment and economic hardship they make a mental note as well. If we are going to turn the tide then there is a great amount of work that is going to have to be done and the fact is we are going to have to be the one's to do it. This is our community, our businesses, our friends, family, schools, churches and neighbors that are hurting. We don’t have the luxury of just turning the page and moving on to the sports section. Our long term well being is directly affected by the overall health of those that live in this community with us. If something is broken in our home it is our job to have it repaired and in like manner if something is broken in our town it is just as much our responsibility to make every effort to set it right. Rutherford County did not find itself in this position all of a sudden. It was a gradual process that began with the failure to address a squeaky belt on the washing machine it broke and the motor burnt out. Yes, Change must come but the change that is necessary is one of ownership. True ownership demands a Love and Commitment to the well being of a thing. Take for instance the Hot Nights and Cool Rides event that Mr. Ray Pitman and the Uptown Merchants Association hold each year. The owners of most of those cars don’t wait for something to just wear out or go bad. They are car owners and as such they are very aware of the condition of their cars today and what it is going to take to keep their cars in pristine shape and running smooth. Ownership more often than not requires that we do twice as much investing as we ever consider withdrawing. The greatness of a community is not found in the lifestyle it affords you but rather in is measured by what you have left in it.

We can spend quite a bit of time considering what makes a place great, what determines success or failure and there are many factors we could take into account. The easy answer is to say Location, Location, and Location. Many would point to history or the education system or job opportunities but the plain truth is that the greatest determining factor of Success or Failure lies within its people. What is the greatest need of any business venture? Customers. What is the greatest need of any church, ministry or volunteer organization? Members. What is the greatest need for any school or college? Students.

For all of the negative and depressing news and statistics that we are faced with regarding our community we have one thing going for us. We have good people! We possess the greatest resource that any community could possibly hold and we have them in large numbers. Rutherford County has some of the most wonderful, intelligent, compassionate people who by working together can overcome the difficult challenges that we are currently facing and produce positive lasting change for generations to come. It is time that we as individuals take our place alongside our political, governmental, spiritual, and business leaders to support a vision of change for our community. It is also long overdue that we as Community Leaders come together to offer a Vision of hope to the people who live in Rutherford County. I believe that they will rise to the occasion and turn the tide of Poverty and Desperation that has gripped our area for far too long.