PORTER,MICHAEL CONSERVATIVE URBAN AGENDA WILL NOT REVITALIZE AMERICA INNER CITIES - WHAT WILL - RESPONSE

Once shown of the fetters of government and meddling community groups, profit-seeking business will, according to Michael Porter, capitalize on the competitive advantages of the inner city. Will the ensuing bus iness development dynamic create jobs for the impoverished of the inne r city? The author does not think so. A properly compliant government and pro-business community groups, working in conjunction with large a nd small businesses, in fact, will accomplish little, absent a profoun d change in society's attitudes about why it is that poor urban areas are poor. Society expects that ghetto redevelopment plans will fail. T hose seeking change must highlight th success stories, energize the pu blic-private partnerships, and prod business into investing in the cit y. One model of successful minority business development, Mesbic Ventu res of Dallas, is put forth to highlight how job creation can become a reality in urban minority communities.