“Uphold our traditions … Embrace change”
By Sonia Outlaw-Clark
Since beginning his job as
Director of Business Development in late October 2005, Richard Carraway has
been a very busy man. “It wasn’t what I was expecting,” says Carraway of the
first two months on the job. “The holiday season was here and a lot of the
downtown Christmas events had not been planned. But we got in a hurry and put
it together.”
All in all, Carraway is
pleased with how well everything came together. He says he is still getting
comments from people who enjoyed the activities and is proud of how the
community stepped forward to help. “We are storing everything from the
Enchanted Forest in anticipation of an even better one this year, and the
public can still donate Christmas items all year by contacting the chamber.”
Carraway is especially proud
of how well downtown merchants did during this time. Many businesses saw 20
percent increases over last year’s sales and one business had an increase of 50
percent. “Local retailers are our base — they make us who we are. We have to
work with our people and help them be the best they can be.”
When asked to look ahead,
Carraway is very optimistic. “I see all kinds of opportunities and challenges
and it’s all up to us. A community has to get involved and pull together for
its own betterment.” He finds it hard to be specific about goals right now,
with the holidays behind him, he is just starting to settle in and see the big
picture.
There is, however, one thing
that he is sure of, “We need to uphold our traditions while embracing change.”
Carraway explains that local businesses should continue to employ practices
that have proven successful over the years, but also be open to changes that
will help draw more business for Brownsville and Haywood County.
In the coming year, Carraway
hopes to provide the support that local retailers need. Re-educating, both the
public and merchants, to begin thinking about what’s best for the community and
make positive changes in that direction. Plans for a Merchant’s Association is
in the works and a seminar on customer service is already planned for February.
Carraway believe the future
is bright for the business environment of Brownsville and Haywood County. “We
have a great quality of life here and we need to let everyone know it.”