Since the beginning the proponents have been saying that the people who are against the hub are "against everything" or are "against any kind of growth" as an attempt to make it seem like we are nothing but a small handful of backward-thinking extremists. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are a large and growing group of citizens who do want growth. The difference is they want growth for the sake of growth, regardless of the consequences. We want solid, well-planned growth. Unplanned growth is why the proponents feel it is necessary to spend $39,000,000 of YOUR tax dollars to dig up and move Bryan Blvd only a short time after millions of YOUR tax dollars were spent upgrading and repaving the same road. Had they planned properly, Bryan Blvd would have been built to accommodate this "30-year old" airport expansion in the first place.
An example of the type growth we support is that of building a technical research park, much like exists at Research Triangle Park near Raleigh, NC. Research Triangle Park is only 8 miles long by 2 miles wide, yet employs over 50,000 people (vice the grand total of 16,000 for ALL jobs related to the hub the proponents claim will be generated) in over 140 businesses. The land area used for the third runway alone could easily hold from twenty five to sixty businesses similar to those in RTP and employ up to 25,000 people. All this, just in the land area of the new runway alone. It should be noted that the average wage at Research Triangle Park is $54,145 per year vice an average of less than $15,000 a year for the FedEx hub.

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""The FedEx project is about jobs. Seven thousand jobs were lost in our area last year. FedEx is the catalyst we need that will bring other companies to our area. Our future economic vitality depends on FedEx." Mac Sims" - quoted from www.hubfacts.com

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics more jobs have been created in our area than have been lost. The statement above about needing FedEx is typical of the proponent's "putting all the eggs in one basket" kind of thinking. We need to bring in a variety of businesses. The same land that the third runway will take up could be used instead, for example to create a technology and research park housing fifty, sixty, or more businesses. Which makes more sense: Rent to one business or rent to fifty? What happens if FedEx decides to leave? Not surprisingly, the proponents have been silent on this very question.

""Not since Governor John Motley Morehead brought the railroad to Greensboro has our community stood at such a crossroads. The FedEx project is our best hope for future economic vitality. It is one of those 'once in a lifetime' opportunities that needs both our affirmation and our support." Nettie Coad" - quoted from www.hubfacts.com

The railroad was never built to be used exclusively for one company. It also doesn't disrupt thousands of people's lives every night, day in and day out. There is no true comparison between the two. Again, saying the hub is our "best hope" for the future is putting all our eggs in one basket.

""I came to Greensboro 25 years ago. I love it here and I would not do anything to diminish our quality of life. However, I do support the FedEx project because I believe two things: Number one: the economic benefits are substantial and number two: the environmental concerns can be satisfactorily addressed."
Harrison Turner, M.D." - quoted from www.hubfacts.com

Sixty-three of Dr. Turner's fellow doctors felt otherwise, and wrote and signed a letter against the hub and it's detrimental effect on the environment. Read the letter here.

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