Made in America

I had an interesting call the other day from a local resident about the issue of buying American made goods. He saw our ad campaign on WHIZ TV about buying locally and he asked if we would also encourage buying American made products. I told him I agreed in principle with what he was suggesting but that we would have to both assess the interest in this (the TV campaigns cost money) and think about the implications. Buying American, and even buying locally, are not simple, cut and dried, black and white ideas in this day and age of the global economy and importing and exporting. But again, I truly do like the idea of buying American whenever possible. Any opinions?

Research Triangle

I visited the Research Triangle in North Carolina last week. I must admit I was there for pleasure, not business, but I was able to take some time and look around and talk to people about some professional subjects too. It is a fascinating and impressive area. The presence of several major universities, which we also visited, all very close nearby drove a lot of that development. Still, I saw plenty of vacancies in office parks there - evidently no place is immune from national and world economic conditions.

Tom Poorman

Economy Again

Anyone catch Jim Cramer on MSNBC yesterday morning? He claims that our economic problems have hit bottom and we have no where to go but up from now on. I know all economists and commentators do not agree on such things, but I'll take Cramer's prediction in this case.

Economy

I saw a report today on money.cnn.com that new home sales are up. That surprised me. Although there are still significant problems in the markets and the economy there are also each week more positive reports and predictions. These have to be signs that things are improving. Long way to go but we will get there. What are you hearing and experiencing yourself?

Tom Poorman

Welcome

Welcome to the Member's Blog for the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber. Feel free to engage in a discussion with us, promote your business, tell us what's new, whatever you want.