The Exurbs-An acronym for “extended suburbs”.

I read D’Vera Cohn and Amy Gardner’s March 16, 2006 Washington Post Newspaper article, “3 Virginia Exurbs Near Top of U.S. in Growth”, this article featured the state of Virginia and the growth of three counties within it that has grown because of workers moving from the inner city of Washington, DC and its surrounding suburbs to counties far away from the city to rural community developments.

Some the reasons for the flight are crime, new immigrants, crowding, seeking lower priced housing and less congestion. Most of these new residents to rural counties are people in their fifties. They make up every ethnic group within the area. The article also notes the fastest-growing counties in the US from 2004 to 2005, in which Flagler County, Florida, which is north of Daytona Beach, topped the United States Census top ten lists. Followed by Lyon County, Nevada, which is east of Reno, Nevada.

Since the 1970’s, census watchers and sociologist have predicted population shifts worldwide because of global conflicts, growing economies in industrialized nations and the improvements in mass communications and transportation. They have predicted urban megapolitans that would extend to several cities connecting the urban, suburban and rural areas into one large massive city similar to the New York City area.

In my last article, “Undocumented Boxing and Fight Clubs”, I explained ways how people in rural counties who lack fight recreational activities and facilities can start a boxing activity in their area. This article will explain how we as fight professional can profit from the urban sprawl, which is taking place not only in the United States, but everywhere there is urban growth in the world.

The world is beginning to look more and more like one big city, but that does not mean that you cannot profit from its growth like the boys from the big corporations, for example McDonald’s and Exxon.

Those who are creating rural sprawl, are basically the housing developers, usually they build these communities faster than they can get businesses in the area. Some of the larger business follow but recreational concerns like boxing and martial arts lag behind the food chains, department stores, etc.

Because the communities are family based, there is room for activities such as fitness and sports. The new residents have problems developing new activities for their children, but organized sports are the first to be welcomed.“Mike, I have a gym now in the inner city and I am doing quite fine!”

Great, But keep in mind that we are at the beginning of the growth of mega metropolis areas with its diversity of people. With the cost of everything growing more expensive and competition for business becoming fiercer than it has ever been, it would be wise to duplicate your inner city success and expand.

As the gold prospectors of the 1840’s used to say, “There is gold in dem thar hills!”

Yes, it easy to sit back and enjoy the success of your current gym. But why not double your success? Through research of the surrounding area of where you live. Your gym can expand into these new developments. You don’t have to go far. Local realtors are always happy to give free info about developments that have not even been built yet, just to get a jump on residential or commercial sales.

Once you have located, an area without the type of activities you offer. You can make a pitch to the civic associations. Seeing what they want is the key. If it is not boxing or martial arts, provide what they want by hiring a contractor in the fitness of sports activity of their choice. Don’t give up because they do not want what you are offering. There are thousand new and retired trainers that will be more than happy to fulfill their needs.

Just because you are a boxing coach, who says you cannot open up a market for a baseball, football and even a martial arts class. Seven Eleven did not let Starbucks scare them away from making gourmet coffee. Research has shown that Seven Eleven is a close second to Starbucks as a consumer favorite.

Business is business!

Once you establish yourself in these communities, then your boxing or martial arts activities will follow as the community grows. With each activity you provide, think as the first year as the test year. See if your ideas are welcomed and can be continued. Use a civic hall or rent space in a boy’s club or fitness gym to test the market.Remember; don’t go in to sell but find out what the residents want. Then provide the service! The world is growing and there is a piece of the pie for us all.

AS ALWAYS KEEP YOUR GUARD UP

And

KEEP ON PUNCHING!