‘We Are What You’re Looking For’: North Carolina Town Rallies to Attract Beck Business
- Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:04am by
Scott Baker
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Earlier today I recapped the history of the effort by folks in Mount Airy, North Carolina to lobby Glenn Beck.
You can read that here.
Beck is launching a new “1791” clothing line that will support his new Mercury One charity initiative.
It’s not clear how many jobs might be involved in the early stages.
But who will make those clothes and where?
Mount Airy would like to be on the consideration list.
Photo by Joy White
And tonight more than 100 residents turned out in less than ideal weather conditions for a Labor Day event with that in mind.
Photo by Troy Brown
“We came today with divided backgrounds and different stories but we share the same dream,” said Mount Airy Mayor Deborah Cochran. “The economy is in crisis and the impact is real.”
“I’ve watched so many people, people who are like family to me, suffer with (unemployment) in this town,” said Greg Perkins before addressing Beck directly. “Let us help make you successful. I have a belief in this community you cannot imagine. We are what you’re looking for. Come and see. It will be the best decision of your life.”
Organizers said Beck will receive a video version of the event. The Blaze also requested photos from those in attendance — and we received plenty!
Photo by Troy Brown
This was a true group effort…
Photo by Troy Brown
…across generations…
Photo by Troy Brown
….there were signs to lift…
Photo by Joy White
Photo by Troy Brown
….flags to wave…
Photo by Joy White
…and songs to sing…
Photo by Troy Brown
That is Mount Air native Rachael Johnson who is now a recording artist in Nashville!
They spoke of the citizens in the county who are motivated to work and the hardships faced by the community due to the declining economy. Jesse Murphy mentioned that Mount Airy citizens have two things that are important to creating a successful business — hope and courage.
“The greatest competitive advantage we have in bringing jobs here is the resilience and resourcefulness of the citizens of Mount Airy,” said Larry Phillips. “If you want it made in America, bring it to Mount Airy and bring it home.”
Photo by Troy Brown
Photo by Troy Brown
One rally, on one rainy day, may not in and of itself redirect the economic fortunes of a community. And the “1791” project may not answer the economic needs of any given community. But there are moments on a timeline when you can measure the merits of any town’s most dedicated visionaries. I’ve had the privilege of standing with hundreds of thousands on 8/28 and watching amazed with thousands on 8/24. But I have a sense that the connections of this group on wet asphalt in Mount Airy, North Carolina on 9/5/11 will have a resonance for this community of long standing.
In each handshake and high five, with each stanza and pledge, one town can send a message. Someone else may hear it. But most importantly — they know it anew for themselves.
Photo by Troy Brown
The Mount Airy News has some great pictures from the event. Especially the dancing couple! See it here.
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Comments (48)
SNAKEDOCTOR
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:37pmMany thanks to Velvet Shelton. This little woman has planned this event for some time. She is a real worker. She would make Glenn a great HR person for hte company or a receptsionist. What ever, she deserves a big pat on the pat for her tremdous efforts in this rally.
Report Post »SNAKEDOCTOR
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:27pmI posted, But did not see it here.
Like I said, There were over 200 people in attendance. This is a good town. There were some blacks folks there, but no Illegals. The city police were there to make sure there was no problems. I’m sure Glenn would make sure you were Legal to be able to get a job in his company. This is going to be an American Company with American workers doing the labor and American Cotton tobe used for the products. Mt.Airy doesn’t need any bad publisity so calm down your rethoric.
Report Post »Dennisp15
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:11pmGreat job Velvet!!!!!
Your friends in Charlotte are praying for you and everyone up in “Mayberry”!
Report Post »SNAKEDOCTOR
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:04pmGlenn, the real number was around 200 people. I was there before during and after the rally to bring you and your clothing line to N.C. What they didn’t say was there was a tornado warning for the area. These people are good honest people. I feel that you would enjoy this area.
Report Post »I live in a town nearby called King. You have a place to stay here any time you are in town. One of my friends that attended is a Fox News Contributor he was the one that counted the people there. So you can bank on the number. GOD Bless the Tea Party. They are not S O B’s, they are hard working people that are open minded and want their country back and Freedoms.
USAF72
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:03pmI purchased a home in Western North Carolina five years ago. Until then I had no idea how liberal that part of the country is. Although not Mount Airy, the town is about the same size and it seems that most of the town’s population think that Barry can do no wrong. BHO bumper stickers are abundant and there are even pictures of their savior hanging in the windows of two Main Street businesses. Maybe Glenn can change some political views by bringing jobs to that part of the country. But then, maybe the jobs should be awarded to areas that support his views and the principles our country was founded on.
Report Post »JoyWhite
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:27amyou must be near Asheville somewhere. That town is our liberal hippie haven in the Conservative Western counties
Report Post »smokie
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:55pmWith all that gumption, they can help themselves.
Report Post »Mojoron
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:47amIllegal aliens? I wonder where the black brothers and sisters are? They apparently don’t want to work.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:24amOver 100 people!
Report Post »team1blazer
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:32amGlenn will probably locate his business here. It would be a defining moment in the transformation of this country back to it’s conservative roots. It would show this town and the nation what creates jobs…hint, it is not the gub’ment. It is “RICH” people.
Report Post »NC1
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:04amOne of the big drawbacks of bringing business to NC is having to get “incentives” from the local and state governments. NC no long has a business friendly environment and hasn’t for some time. The “incentives” usually include tax breaks for “X” amount of years. When that time is up the company packs up and moves away, usually only staying for about 5-7 years. Go drive by the Dell Computer plant in Winston Salem that sits empty for an example. I believe they were only there for about 7 years or less. NC has been under democrat control for over 150 years. It’s changing though, I just hope it starts changing faster.
Report Post »EriePA
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:02amHow come all the Illegals, who will be doing most of the work in the plant, aren’t properly represented in the photos? Mt. Airy and it’s county seat, Dobson, are HUGE abetters of the Illegal population. Go to City-Data.com and look at the Hispanic (which means Illegal there – trust me, I lived there) percentage of the population. Be sure to check out the Winston-Salem (just south of there) stats as well. I feel sorry for this group of people who are being hurt by the majority that at big-time Libs who tolerate anything and everything except Conservatives. Don’t buy the whole schitck about the South being Conservative. The Black and Hispanic population is expanding much more quickly than Whites, which, like it or not, mean big gains in the Democrat ticket, and they vote in people who will take from producers and give to them, the non-producers. Yeah, yeah, yeah, there is slacker White trash too, but as a percentage of the population, it is much smaller.
Report Post »mac410
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:29amERIEPA, Do you seriously think that a business run by Glenn Beck will hire illegals? Get your head out of your neither parts and think before you make strange statements.
Report Post »olddog
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:32amOnly 100 people at a Beck jobs rally, are you kidding me. 100 people
Report Post »I guess the other 20,000 residents were waiting for an Obama job rally..
After all Mt. Airy (Mayberry) the home of Andy Griffith who is one of the biggest socialist and backer of Obama in America..
momsense
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:47amDon’t hold your breath –especially if they don’t sell out to the unions.
Report Post »honestynow
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:03pmSee an earlier post where it stated there was a tornado warning at the time.
Report Post »marthasusan40
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:14amWow, good for them. I wish I would have thought of it. Don’t worry, Beck is listening…..this story is not over…God Bless them and God Bless America !
Report Post »JackieG
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:12amWhere can I buy that shirt! Made in the USA!
Report Post »JoyWhite
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:56amIt’s made by some local people, but if you go to the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-the-1791-Clothing-Line-to-Mount-Airy-NC/119899728106886 I am sure you can find someone who would be willing to send you one. They cost $10 and all proceeds go to local charity.
I’d send you one, but i’m not involved with the organization of the rally, i’m just a huge supporter of it.
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 8:08amLead by example, that’s what Mr. Beck preaches. So, let’s see if he practices what he preaches by putting Americans to work (even if on a small scale) rather than the Chinese. He talks the talk, now, lets see if he walks the walk.
Report Post »PennConservative
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:22pmOh…I have no doubt that GB will open a factory. Just not sure where in the US it would be. I would look long and hard about where I would open one. Texas, or maybe Florida would be where I would start…Better business-friendly climate…
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 7:47amam will to spend a few dollars on American made products made by Americans
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 7:34amThere are only two ways this can work out:
1. Beck realizes that chinese textile workers are cheaper than US workers and they move the operation overseas.
2. Number one above turns out to not be true, because US worker wages have sunk so low they are competitive with chinese sweatshops.
I’m going with number 2.
Either way, good luck, Mayberry, and good luck, Beck.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:14amReally?
You think American wages have SUNK to Chinese sweatshop levels?
1) Have you ever heard of “the minimum wage”? It is a creation of the socialist democrats. It is the MINIMUM below which American jobs CANNOT sink – if you want to whine about low wages, you need to whine the the socialist democrats who set the minimum wage!!!
What HAS changed, is that the last 2-1/2 years have brought us LOADS of INFLATION – of course obama denies we have inflation – but, he changes the DEFINITION of inflation & “cost of living” to avoid including things that HAVE inflated, while ADDING more of things that have not. – HOW OFTEN do you buy a house? How often do you buy gasoline? Gasoline (energy) is EXCLUDED, while HOUSE PRICES are INCLUDED. – WHAT A JOKE!!
Anyone who goes to the grocery can tell you, prices have skyrocketed, & quality has plummeted.
Wages have shrunk?
NOPE!!!
JOBS HAVE DISAPPEARED !
THAT is what has happened!!
Thanks, obama !!! Record unemployment levels, skyrocketing grocery prices, gasoline is $4.25 a gallon in many areas !
Yep, what a great job obama has done.
Of course, it’s not HIS fault – it was all Bush’s fault…
Mrs Voter: “Barry, WHAT do you think you are doing?”
Report Post »obama: ” But, Mrs. Voter – Bushie did it ! ”
Mrs Voter: “Now, Barry, I SAW you do it… WE BOTH KNOW who did it, and, NOW YOU’RE A LIAR on top of it all ! ”
obama: ” But Mrs. Voter – Georgie…”
Mrs Voter: ” That’s about enough of that, Barry.”
Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 4:16pmI can think of several ways this can work out. And I also think your an idiot….
Report Post »Anne G
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 3:55amI wish Mt. Airy all the best, God Bless them and their efforts.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 7:00amWow, what a concept, working to be competitive instead of crying for a job. Haven’t seen that in a while.
Report Post »NuffSaid
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:33amI wish you all the best.
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:16amGod Bless the people of Mt. Airy!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:25amWe may be seeing the first true turning point in America in which the revival of the small businesses comes first to the small towns, and communities, and spreads like wildfire from there.
This is the beginning of something incredible; and yet watch for the administration and their allies and extremists to come down like a ton of bricks upon the area. They will do anything to stop Glenn, and now will turn their wrath upon anyone daring to stand against the administration with him.
Report Post »revel222
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:00amI just stayed in Mount Airy recently and my first impression was “people are really nice here” and secondly, “what a pretty area”. I am from a small town and I really think it is wonderful how many towns are coming together with the support of leaders like Glenn Beck, the Tea Party or whatever motivates them at this critical time in history. Small towns are precious and mighty. I believe there are more small towns than cities in America. Watch out!! I see a movement!!!! Good Luck Mount Airy and Good Job on the rally!
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:32amWant to read the local newspaper article? http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/15397260/article-Jobs-rally-goes-off-as-planned?instance=secondary_news_left_column
Report Post »alecj
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:26amIm not sure 100 people is quite the amount of support needed to persuade anyone of anything. I appreciate those folks and their effort but they seem to be in the minority in their town, from what i can tell.
I trust Glenn to make the right decision, either way.
Report Post »JoyWhite
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:48amIt was actually somewhere around 200 people, and there would have been double or triple that, except we were having some extreme weather today in Foothills NC, and so lots of people stayed home.
Conservative, good, caring people are NOT a minority in this town or the county. Like in all large areas, there are one of two misguided people on the city council, but even they came around over 2 weeks ago, in support of bringing jobs to the area. Here’s the proof http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/15131238/article-City-board-to-endorse-Glenn-Beck-project?instance=secondary_news_left_column
Mostly though, I just wanna say that the rally was a wonderful event full of community spirit. It was filled with fun food, good music, and lots of great people. My daughter enjoyed it, and I am super proud that some of my pictures made it into this article. My daughter is the beautiful flag waver and also later in her Barney raincoat. I’m the gal with the yellow bag and the goofy hat.
It was a wonderful evening for all who showed up, albeit a little damp!
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:12amWell my husband and I were going and about 20 more but we have been having incredible rains and tornados and I am sure that is what kept them out also. There little town is mostly closed on Labor Day.tool We go to Hillsville to a huge flea market and ride back to the town to get a fried pork chop
Report Post »sandwich ummm they are so good. I know Moochelle would love them. I really hate the weather was not good for them because they has really planned on it.
bread and circuses
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 7:48amDo these ppl NOT go to work if it rains ???
Report Post »Isn‘t this the town whose government voted against Beck’s company earlier ???
beekeeper
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:23amI don’t think Glenn/The Blaze would keep covering this effort if it wasn’t gaining traction in th edecision-making process. But I have to admit, there is a small, small part of me that wants this town to realize that the leaders THEY elected choose to pro-actively send Glenn a letter trying to discourage him from bringing 1791 factory to “their” town because of his ideology. I hope that Glenn is waiting to see how the government in Mt. Airy shakes out after the 2011 elections in a few months, but I realize he’s probably made his decision at least about Mt. AIry, if not the ultimate home for his forthcoming 1791 clothing line…
Report Post »freedomofspeech
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:17amgood luck. you all really trying.
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:24amI’ve been to Mt. Airy before. Who would have thought it.My ancestors were from nearby King, N.C. I live Alabama. Good bunch of people there. We pulling for you!
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:06amI hope Glenn can help them.
Report Post »