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DAYTON FOCUSING ON ATTRIBUTES

Rally at UD Arena touts strengths of Dayton area

Chris Stewart/Staff photographer About 1,500 people attend the Dayton Region Rally at the University of Dayton Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Part of the estimated 1,500 people attending listen to speakers Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Dayton Region Rally at UD Arena.

Chris Stewart/Staff photographer Part of the estimated 1,500 people attending listen to speakers Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Dayton Region Rally at UD Arena.

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Photos: Dayton Region Rally

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Event provides chance for organizers to share positive information.

By Tim Tresslar, Staff Writer Updated 10:31 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

DAYTON — Area business, military, academic and nonprofit leaders rallied Tuesday, Nov. 17, to highlight what they consider Dayton’s attributes, an effort to counter pessimism fueled by the onslaught of layoffs, business departures and plant closings that have battered the region.

The Dayton Region Rally held at University of Dayton Arena included presentations from organizations such as Miami Twp.-based Teradata Corp., Fiver Rivers MetroParks, the Yellow Springs Arts Council and United Way of the Greater Dayton Area.

The afternoon event drew about 1,500 people, according to the Dayton Development Coalition, an organizer of the one-day event.

Jim Leftwich, president and chief executive of the Dayton Development Coalition, said the attendance met his expectations and provided a chance to share positive information with hundreds of people organizers might otherwise not have reached.

One speaker, Ken Neufeld, president and chief executive of Victoria Theatre Association, said that since he moved to the region four months ago, he has found it offers such benefits as affordable housing, short commutes and strong arts programs.

“Dayton is a great region in which to play,” he said.

Chris Shaw, general manager of Shaw Dry Cleaners and economic development chairman for the Dayton Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he came out to show his support.

“I’ve got a vested interest in Dayton and I’ve done a lot of business with a lot of businesses that have left Dayton,” Shaw said. “I want to do business with the ones that come here in the future.”

Susan Graham of Centerville said she believes the region’s fortunes will improve and she wanted to hear about the various organizations’ plans for the future.

However, Graham, who is unemployed, also said she would have liked to have heard more about retraining opportunities for people who are changing careers.

Preston Dawes, a Washington Twp. resident, said he appreciated hearing about the region’s arts organizations.

“I think it accomplished what it was designed for here,” he said of the event.

Local politicians, sprinkled throughout the audience, were absent from the stage.

Leftwich has said organizers excluded elected officials from the speaker’s list to keep the event from becoming too politicized.

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NCR bailed on Dayton for numerous reasons. Air travel to Dayton. Yeah, maybe. You gotta' connect going most places from Dayton to places other than a hub city. But the drive time ATL <-> Duluth about equals a connection. Real estate and taxes in Dayton and Ohio. Yeah. Georgia sweetened the taxation pot and NCR didn't care to talk to Ohio. Big corporate culture problem between NCR-Dayton and NCR-Everyone_Else. Big Yeah. Downsize a big slow corporate operation. Big Double Yeah.

It wasn't just air travel
2:19 PM, 11/18/2009

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1)-to Dan in Dayton-Air travel as a reason NCR left. If that is fact that is absurd as they have had their own private fleet since I was born. We moved to Dayton as my Dad got a job flying said aircraft for NCR!
2)-Any positive efforts regarding my hometown are most welcomed by me however, here is something I do not understand. Where was my invitation, where was a public notice, where was the marketing so that we that love Dayton could attend and perhaps assist in the rebuild! Just a thought.

Redhdlass
10:54 AM, 11/18/2009

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Mr. Esrati

Thanks for your comments but if you could only be half the person Jim Leftwich is then maybe you would get somewhere. You blow a lot of smoke but are weak in the delivery and you will never be part of the choir. Your pitch is old. If you dont like the leaders here and you are so disapponted in everyone there's a bus leaving Dayton daily.

Me
10:32 AM, 11/18/2009

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Not one person addressed how they are making efforts to stem the 31% vacancy rate downtown. They focused on the creative class as the solution. The creative class plays into the equation but lets not put the cart before the horse. What economic amenities are being fostered in Dayton, what development will ensue? No, this was an effort to make us feel good. I feel sick to my stomach.

Will Brooks
10:19 AM, 11/18/2009

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I was inspired and encouraged by all who came out to show Dayton is not dead, but where was the RALLY? I expected a rally, not a string of canned speeches by unknown area "leaders".
They do get an "A" for effort!

Cheryl
10:06 AM, 11/18/2009

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