From the Library Lounge in the Inn at Biltmore Estate, Wanda and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains Sunday evening. We spent two days exploring our nation’s largest single family residence, built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. The Biltmore is 175,000 square feet of pure luxury, built on what was originally 125,000 acres of managed forest land.
As we toured the Biltmore and the grounds, I was struck by the effect that a single significant development can have on a region. When the Biltmore was constructed in the late 1800s, it created thousands of jobs in the Asheville, N.C., area, and 114 years later, it continues to provide employment for up to 1,800 employees, working throughout the year to keep the estate open and accessible to the public as a national historic landmark.
When George Vanderbilt constructed his home, he had no way of knowing that more than 100 years later, his home would continue to provide employment to so many people. The Missouri Innovation Park will create significant job opportunities in Blue Springs and will impact the economic environment in the surrounding area well into the next century.
I have heard Brien Starner, director of the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation, say many times, “a rising tide raises all boats.”
This is the foundation of the impact of positive growth on an entire community. As I visited with my barber recently about the Innovation Park, we discussed what it meant for him and for others in the community like him, residents and business owners alike. We discussed the impact of at least 3,000 more people in Blue Springs, people who will need homes to live in, restaurants to dine in, and retail opportunities to shop for products and services. The rising tide can mean the revitalization of downtown and an increased interest in redevelopment at U.S. 40 and Missouri 7.
To keep Blue Springs on the forefront of progress and economic recovery, the entire City Council will need to put aside personal differences, think outside the box and look for ways to work together. I know that each member of our council wants what they believe is best for Blue Springs. Now is the time for our councilmen to be flexible and to accommodate the future needs of the Innovation Park development and current and future residents of Blue Springs.
Our elected leaders are facing the need to build a new city hall, a mandated new communication system for our Police Department and maintaining our aging pool complex. This council needs to carefully consider how their decisions affect the growing needs of our city, and anticipate the growth as we prepare today for a brighter future tomorrow.
To see pictures from my visit to the Biltmore please look me up on facebook.com at http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Quibell/1405337531 and invite me to be on your friend list.