There's hasn't been much discussion about the short and long-term impacts of the Oil Spill in the Gulf here on commonground.  That's despite the fact that a large portion of our members have a vested interest in what will happen there and what it will mean for their businesses and livelihoods.  

Some have adopted a wait and see attitude –  yet the underlying concerns grow daily.  We included a short preview last week in our Member Update on our upcoming coverage in the Gulf. One member emailed me back and said, “It‘s a little late isn’t it?” 

Uhh, no.

We know you’re looking for information to help navigate your future and we’re making it our business to step up and do what we can to help make that happen.  Like any strong community, when times are tough, the community pulls together.  Buoyed by a loyal membership and an ever expanding community, this week we are taking commonground to the Gulf to get information and insights on the buiness and environmental impact of this disaster.

Two weeks of live coverage from the Gulf: We'll be looking into environmental and commercial real estate issues that matter to you – from New Orleans to Pensacola and back. Commonground’s own correspondent, seasoned freelance journalist Jeff Cutler, will post daily updates to the site through videos, photos, blogs and real-time reports as he interviews key officials, business leaders and environmental professionals like you throughout the region.  Look for reports on real estate values, commercial property loans, insurance, environmental regulations, wetland and coastal ecology and waste management.

Visit our special section - commonground Covers the Oil Spill; Professional Perspectives from the Gulf for daily updates on where Jeff’s been, who he’s spoken to and where he’s going next -- and much more.

We’re gathering your questions to ensure he asks what you want to know – questions the national media have not asked. 

For us to make this work, we need your help.  Here’s how:

1. Before you do anything else, save our commonground Covers the Oil Spill page to your favorites – and check in daily over the next two weeks for the latest updates
2. Ask questions by posting them in our special Oil Spill Discussions area – and share your thoughts and opinions there as well.  We’ve already received several questions from members in Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee
3. Send this link to your colleagues so they can benefit from our daily reports http://commonground.edrnet.com/resources/35d0c29799/summary

For now, that’s it.  We’ve got a committed team here working hard behind the scenes to make this be as valuable to our community as we can make it.   

We think this is the right time for us to step out in front of the issues to provide our members the support they should expect from commonground - the destination  for all things due diligence. 

Stay with us on this one – and let us know how we’re doing and what we can do to get the answers you are looking for.