The Old Pass used to be the only way until another one was built. The nature has done its job and the Old Pass was blocked completely. The Pass was closed by the sand. The main idea of re-opening the East Pass, also known as the Old Pass, was first backed by the Bay County commissioners. They devoted $2 million dollars to the project, but the effort failed. According to one of the Bay County commissioners, people who live in the county find the idea of reopening the Pass very attractive. They believe that officials should keep trying to make this project completed. Nature and environment will benefit a lot from the idea of reopening the Pass, as it will mean a better water supply. Therefore, the main issue now is to find people who are willing to invest in this project and try again. The public meetings on this point were initiated to make clear who are interested in the Old Pass reopening (Vaughn, 2012).
The technique of using fundraising for public projects is not new. Such investments also demonstrate whether the project is interesting to public or not. Small investors are the best indicators for the projects related to public, environmental and commercial interests. I am fond of this technique as it involves many stakeholders that are related to the designated area. Local people can have a few options of the project and vote with their money for the best one. Such a fundraising gives an opportunity to complete projects that have no benefit for commercial investors. This gives an opportunity to satisfy the needs of the community regarding the environment and nature, public education, etc. I am also attracted by the fact that this money is donated willingly and without excessive financial loss of the stakeholders. Moreover, fundraising may also be interesting for donors, sponsors and other types of big investors. They may also contribute to the funds as an act of charity or good will.
This technique can be used as a perfect tool for raising money on non-commercial projects of public interest. For example, it is good to raise money for start-ups or other creative and innovative ideas that cannot be backed by big investors. This gives an opportunity for new businesses. National welfare can be also supported by the fundraising initiatives, as some of them may be terminated by the government. Fundraising as a technique goes along with aggressive advertisement. Fundraising can be used for collecting money for book publishing as well as for any research and development that may be interesting to public. However, it may be time-consuming and difficult to make the project interesting to public.
Therefore, it is good that the Bay County decided to involve small investors in the Old Pass project and give it a second chance. The Bay County officials can become the main body responsible for advertisement and money gathering. Moreover, it will help to decide whether the Old Bay is an interesting project. In this case, technique fits its purpose very much. Thanks to fundraising, interested stakeholders can get the result they have been waiting for so long. Moreover, environmental benefits can also add to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Old Pass project. In any case, I believe that the Bay Country community will enjoy reopening of the Pass very soon and get all the benefits that it may bring.
References
Vaughn, Mark. (2012, June). Bay County Looking for Public Input on “Old Pass.” WJHG. Retrieved from http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Bay_County_Revisting_Old_Pass_Issue_158494075.html
