Rain. (JULY 2023 CHAIR'S COLUMN)

GEDA Chair’s Column: July 2023

Rain.

Summer makes me think of rain.

Rain in all the ways – a light drizzle, a short heavy downpour out of the blue, a sun shower in the backyard, a thunderous storm with wind blowing and limbs cracking – because they all seem to happen more in the summer.  I have so many fond memories of playing in the rain as a child with my sister or running to the Edenfield Feed & Seed store near our baseball field because of lightning.

Then, as now, the rain mostly came in the afternoons.  My first real job was working at our local golf course, mowing fairways and manning the pro shop.  When a good afternoon summer rain came through, the golfers would come into our little pro shop and play cards.  After the rain ended, the course would be empty, and I’d have a chance to go out and have the entire little Magnolia Country Club course to myself.  I worked at Walt Disney World one summer during college.  It rained every day, usually at around 3-4 PM. Our Florida friends will tell us that’s how it is in the summer down there, and I’m afraid it’s becoming more of the norm for us now, too.  The afternoon rains at WDW had the same effect as at our golf course – the less hardy folks cleared out, so I was able to enjoy the Magic Kingdom a little more.

Sometimes our jobs remind me of the summer rain.  When there’s been some time between successes, our citizens wonder why things aren’t happening – why isn’t it raining, we need more rain!  Then, when a project or two hits, folks start to worry about having too much traffic, higher taxes – we need this rain to stop!  I guess it’s the job of economic developers to watch the weather patterns and prepare for the times when the rain comes and the times in between.

I hope it doesn’t rain on our August Luncheon in Gainesville (or just an appropriate amount).  Our GEDA members will have so much to see and experience as we hear about the things happening in this great Georgia city.  I hope to see you there and hope you’re having a great summer.  Enjoy the rain.