THE ECONOMY, SMARTY: As a vital partner and beneficiary, the State of North Carolina helps keep the High Point Market strong

Keeping the High Point Market strong is good business. Better yet, it’s a prudent investment returning jobs and prosperity to High Point, the Piedmont Triad, the State of North Carolina and, most importantly, to the global home furnishings industry.

Despite a disappointing economy, the Market remains strong in size, scope and influence.

The world class Market is a renewable economic resource, pumping more money — $1 billion-plus annually — into the area than any Super Bowl generates wherever it lands. Aside from Mardi Gras, the Market is one of the largest income-producing events of its kind in North America and the world.

Under the leadership of Brian Casey, president of the Market Authority, civic and business leaders are meeting and communicating with legislators in nearby Raleigh to extol the virtues of the Market, as a unique economic engine of ingenuity.

Always seeking to grow and become more important economically, as it is in breadth, design and style, the Market Authority seeks $1.6 million in additional marketing funds from the State. Total funding is about $3 million from state and local government.

The additional marketing funds will help the Market Authority grow the enviable enterprise's attendance and exhibitors, while still seizing all the opportunities and addressing vital challenges.

The Market seeks a prudent investment so it can return dividends in jobs, prosperity, stability and payback directly and indirectly, and that includes an amazing creative class generating more than $8 billion to the region.

Of the reverberating income the Market generates, a portion of it returns to state and local coffers as tax revenue. That means the Market pays back its investors more than it receives.

Even though the Market is behemoth, its success can anesthetize some of us to the sting of reality: A challenging economy, industry constriction and an aggressive, even brazen smaller Las Vegas Market on the prowl.

Even with the success of the Market, no segment of the industry, or citizenry, can be lulled into a false sense of security. That’s the reason merchants, designers, manufacturers and suppliers need to preserve their vital stake in keeping the High Point Market strong and flexible.

For more information, contact the High Point Market Authority. At the North Carolina Legislation, contact Henry M. Michaux, Jr., senior chairman, appropriations committee, North Carolina House of Representatives or Charles W. Albertson, co-chairman, appropriations-base budget commuttee, North Carolina State Senate.