One thousand and eight hundred auto dealers closing. That is 1,800. Last minute, no warning. This crushes jobs, parts dealers, service jobs, suppliers. There is blame all around in the media. Clearly there was poor use of innovative thing on GM & Chrysler’s part. How many oil crisis, gas price hikes and dips in the economy were ignored? Consumers hit a tipping point, and monoliths could not react.

What can be done? Can dealerships be converted into anything cities can use? Probably one 1-2% of dealers will be able to switch to another auto manufacturer.

As a leadership consultant, my question is simple: Where are the Mayors, Governors of each city and state? Why are we not hearing about planning commissions, economic boards, green companies jumping up now to help plan for conversions and job growth?

This is the time for entrepreneurs, businesses and government to form partnerships and forge alliances to crate new jobs, new projects and assist in job planning for the job loses that are occurring in one industry that will have a quick, long term devastating effect.

Let’s be proactive and innovative now, not later.