THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603290007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The chief executives of 700 Hampton Roads companies were asked in a recent survey, ``Do you believe that increased regional cooperation would have a positive effect on Hampton Roads?''
Of the 235 CEOs who responded, 94 percent marked yes. One marked ``yes'' and printed, ``yes, yes!'' A pessimistic executive marked yes, then printed, ``But it will never happen.''
The survey is conducted annually by the Norfolk accounting firm Edmondson, LedBetter & Ballard, L.L.P. The CEOs who responded lead companies with a combined employment of 46,000 and presumably know what makes this region tick or not tick.
The No. 1 disadvantage of doing business in Hampton Roads, according to the CEOs, is inter-city competition, as opposed to cooperation. On a scale from 1, representing minimal disadvantage, to 5, representing major disadvantage, the only item ranked above 3 was inter-city competition.
Of the nine disadvantages ranked between 2 and 3, most might be alleviated or removed by regional cooperation, including inadequate water supply, mass transit, cultural/sports attractions and highway system.
As for the areas in which the CEOs desire inter-city cooperation, 92 percent said economic development; 74 percent said cultural, entertainment and sports opportunities; 74 percent said elimination of duplicated services; and 58 percent said economics of scale.
The survey is titled ``1996 Hampton Roads Business Climate Survey.'' A handsome report, with graphs, it can be read in less than half an hour. Every elected official in Hampton Roads should reflect on it.
People keep saying that we live regionally but govern locally. The business leaders know that. While attempting to do business in this one region of 1.5 million people, they may deal with up to 15 different cities and counties.
James K. Hall, managing partner of the accounting firm, noted that without regionalism each city speaks with a single lonely voice. When the Charlotte region needs a highway, the whole region asks in a mighty chorus. When Chesapeake needs a highway, Chesapeake asks for one. And it might compete with Virginia Beach for the money.
Strides are being taken toward regionalism. Leaders of the 10 cities and five counties that compose Hampton Roads are cooperating in planning a major-league-sports arena. The Hampton Roads Public/Private Partnership, in the process of forming, brings together CEOs, mayors and county supervisors, college presidents, senior military officers and others in an effort to make Hampton Roads competitive.
Still, some city leaders nurse decades-old grudges against other cities. CEOs know what's needed and should take the lead in getting everyone to come together. Esteemed management guru Peter F. Drucker wrote, ``If the managers of our major institutions, and especially of business, do not take responsibility for the common good, no one else can or will.'' If the CEO who said ``it will never happen'' is right, the region will never prosper as it should. by CNB