Don Kirkman Economic Quotations

This project has unfolded just as we hoped it would. The traditional economic impacts have been substantial - including things such as investment and employment numbers.

We are delighted that the Piedmont Triad proposal was selected for this grant. The WIRED grant gives us both the financial and technical resources to develop an integrated strategy to restore the Piedmont Triad's global economic competitiveness.

Tom has been a very effective advocate for the redistribution of resources for business startups. I would certainly say that many of us who are traditional practitioners of economic development become too narrowly focused on business recruitment when in fact the lion's share of jobs are generated through existing industry expansions and new business.

You want growth - it is a clear indicator of economic health. But you don't want growth that is so rapid that it outstrips your capacity and your infrastructure.

The key to successful regional economic development is leadership. So to embrace a regional vision really requires leaders to understand the value of the importance of regions and the value of working collaboratively at regional levels.