We Don't Know How to Succeed!

  County Clay has been behind the rest of the world since the beginning of time. Truth is, many think our leadership likes it that way. Putting forth no effort... that makes life easier for elected and appointed leadership.
  Couple those thoughts with a population , most of it anyway, that has but one thing on their mind, "when's my check coming" and "what's in it for me", and you have the complete recipe for stagnation and failure.
   Here's an old example of pee poor leadership.   15 or more years ago, our Business Development Authority (BDA)  was provided a $10,000 grant to grow a tourist welcome center for the county. They had a group or two willing to host the center in downtown Clay. And and, here it comes readers, BDA leadership turned away the free money, stating, we didn't need it.
   Here's the latest example of pee poor leadership.
  18 months ago a young couple showed up with a plan to grow "pedal car" railroad rides on the old BC&G tracks along Buffalo Creek. Presenting themselves professionally, this county poo pooed their idea. That negative attitude on the part of Clayonians came while knowing that young couple already had 5 other such rides already in place around the country, and already successful.
  Six months ago the Rail Explorers set up shop investing $1000's over at Dundon. They hired a couple dozen or more locals with great starting wages, they entered into a long term lease for a half million $$$; and well trained the local hires.
  By the end of the 2024 season, over 16,000 paying riders kept the place humming thru Oct. At $40 per rider, that's a gross of over $640,000 and that doesn't include the sale of trinkets, t shirts, etc.
  That's all fresh new money and doesn't  count the $100,000's that came toward local businesses from gasoline, beer, pop, and food sales.
  Keep in mind, it was their first season and the Explorers got a late start in June. For 2025, the number of riders should double!
  Any other place trying to attract tourism growth, any other place would be doing the happy dance for such an expansion.
  Not here in the Land of Little.
  Truth is local leaders did nothing in the way of even putting up a Welcome banner!
  We didn't see local leadership do ANYTHING to support the fledgling expansion (and the Growth of County Clay).
  A little thing like printing brochures showing off our existing attractions, that never happened. 
  Leadership didn't build a centrally located kiosk to highlight our pluses.
  Not one person, kid, little ole lady, took the time to set up a trinket stand, sell lemonade or hot dogs, BBQ. There was no encouragement by community leaders to get something started. Zip!
  Nothing.

Alex Catchpoole ans Mary Joy Lu
Thanks for Trying

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