Jason P. Stapleton Visits Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant recently hosted Jason P. Stapleton….better known as J P. Readers of the Mount Pleasant Observer will recognize his name because of his well-publicized vast wealth, philanthropy and socially responsible investing style. He just completed a major transaction with the sale of his high technology company for a sum in excess of three billion dollars.

J P met with senior Mount Pleasant official’s politicians and members of the business community. Specific outcomes remain under wrap; rumor has it that he is here with a team of advisers to evaluate our city and area as locations for a new venture. He graciously agreed to a conversation with the Mount Pleasant Observer’s Editor, Rebecca Waldowski.

Rebecca….Welcome J P. and thanks for taking time to talk specifically about why you are here.

J P…..Great to meet with Mount Pleasant’s finest. We are all impressed with the many fine attributes of your city and area.

Well known by now is our venture into plant-based meat. In the past ten years we have moved from test tubes to pilot plants to full scale production. In the past month equity financing makes possible our expansion plans. Product demand is far exceeding expectations.  Simply put, we need more capacity.

Rebecca….So I am assuming that the Mount Pleasant area is a candidate for your new facilities. Our readers are most interested on what a positive decision depends on and what we can do to enhance our chances.

J P……Traditional attributes first. Our location experts rate the following in order of importance; workforce, infrastructure, cost of doing business, economy, quality of life, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living.

Rebecca…..As you say, these are traditional attributes. What are the less traditional?

J P…..You are no doubt aware about the great challenge of building economies that are sustainable   Systems that maintain their own viability such as renewable energy, water management that restores and recirculates, crop management that limits chemicals, solids recycling, extracting maximum energy from power plants, transportation that minimizes energy use and building management that provide a zero energy sum are examples.

Sustainability is fundamental to our corporate mission not only in our products but in practices as well. We are building a business based on protein that goes directly to traditional food sources, bypassing the need for animals. Our vegetable feed stocks are produced organically which bring specific environmental advantages as well. All facilities will be energy neutral, our materials in and out will not be invasive…. operating in an enclosed circuit is nothing new. What is new is that we are starting from scratch and can incorporate all of the proven technology now in use.

Suppliers that emulate our sustainability practices will have a competitive advantage with us over others that do not.

Business that ignore sound environmetal practices are facing liabilities which will be punitive.  Law suits initiated by aggrieved parties will reduce credit ratings and increase borrowing costs. Reputational risk now expands into  a financial risk.

Rebecca….Operating in the twenty first century is fascinating. As a host city what expectations do you have for Mount Pleasant?

J P…… Our rating scale that dictates the location decision now incorporates sustainability into the equation.

Rebecca….So the ball is in our court. How will this show up?

J P…..  Energy is an example….we are interested in Mount Pleasants sources of energy.  Renewables will buoy the availability and lower costs in the long term. Transportation systems that rely less on the automobile and more on mass transit are cost effective. Water resource management is vital as to availability and cost control. Waste management systems designed to be profitable is another positive attribute. Moving away from quantifiable benefits, the quality of education, health care, arts, recreational facilities, leading age communications systems and fulsome philanthropic initiatives make a community great.

You will know that twenty first century businesses are searching for locations that match their sustainable missions.

Rebecca…..Your counsel is a message to our city fathers that harboring resources is now in the mainstream. Mount Pleasant has the opportunity to become a leader…..thanks for the heads up. Any closing advce?

J P……You would do well to consider SUSTAINABILITY IS US as a civic motto. Thanks for listening.