Throughout this series on the effects of the economic downturn on our local economy, we have seen examples of how the refocusing and modification of our economic habits and actions, coupled with the intrinsic strength and fortitude of our local economy, can and will help us to weather the financial storm and come out even stronger than before.

Print, television and online media provide daily doses of gloomy economic news. As a Chapel Hill attorney, a member of the community of real estate professionals, a small business owner, a longtime local citizen and a parent, I have experienced firsthand the struggles and challenges we have all been faced with of late. And yet I find myself, like so many others, filled with gratitude for what we have, and sincerely optimistic about what we will achieve going forward. My resolution for the New Year 2009 is to share this gratitude and optimism with others.

Our local citizenry and government are blessed with the many benefits of being partners with the University or North Carolina. While certain issues focus attention on competing interests that arise in any town/gown relationship, the overwhelming benefit bestowed on our local economy by the existence of the university is undeniable. he nature of this positive and symbiotic relationship between a city and a university crystallized for me during my participation in the recent Inter-City Visit and Leadership Conference held this fall in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor face the same challenges and enjoy the same benefits of their university-town relationship as we do. The result for Ann Arbor is a relatively healthy and resilient economic and cultural community in a state reeling from the economic devastation within the domestic auto industry. I look forward with optimism to the many continuing economic and cultural benefits that will emanate from the continued development the UNC Campus.

In his column last month, Adam Klein with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce showed us how smarter strategic purchasing habits result in important economic benefits of our local community. Our Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of Aaron Nelson, is the envy of chambers across the state and nation. Through its progressive programs and tireless work and support for the business community, it has fostered a strong sense of corporate citizenship, responsibility and optimism within the business community.

Our area continues to attract productive people and strong businesses who want to benefit from and contribute to our community. How can one not be optimistic about the future of our local economy and local community? In the face of all the negative economic news on a national level, we must not lose sight of the incredible resilience of the local community we have built.

(Tom Holt is a real estate attorney and managing shareholder of the law firm of Bagwell Holt Smith Jones & Crowson, P.A.)