Think Again: Visions for our business future

For starters, as part of our city's smart grid program, we are seeing millions of tax dollars — tax dollars we pay to the federal government — flowing back into our city as part of federal stimulus grants. This work will lay a solid foundation for Glendale's future. This doesn't happen by accident, but rather with thoughtful and forward-looking leadership.

At GridWeek, I've been meeting and talking to representatives from many entrepreneurial companies that are blossoming in the new smart grid sector, and it's energizing. It reminds me of the days I spent in Silicon Valley before coming to Glendale. But it also heightens my angst because Glendale's business climate seems tepid in comparison.

These companies started as small businesses and are growing, or have grown, into larger ones. Why can't we attract this caliber of enterprise to Glendale that would create jobs and boost our city's economy? What is preventing promising entrepreneurs from setting up shop in Glendale and coming up with the next big thing? We need to be driven more by a unifying vision to explore the possibilities for our city's future.

What reminds me of this issue recently is driving around the city you get the impression that Glendale's top industry is Halloween products, with Halloween stores around every corner. These seasonal and transient businesses have descended upon Glendale with all the cheap vacant retail space and that's says something about our city.