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| Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council | Monday, September 15, 2003 |
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Bainbridge Island Economic Vitality Conference
Western
Washington Summit on Technology and Economic Development
Entrepreneurship –
provides
cutting-edge knowledge on how to increase productivity by incorporating
best practices, quality design, and proven management techniques into
your technology and business applications.
Ken Myer, President, Technology Alliance and Principal, Atlantis Consulting Group Inc. Allan Friedman, Chairman of Washington Regional Alliance for Infrastructure and Network Security (RAINS) Larry Sivitz, Managing Editor of Seattle24x7 Executive
Director’s Corner: This
is the second in a series of commentaries about my framework for doing
economic development. Economic Development is a collaborative process whereby communities mobilize resources and leverage assets to attract and retain jobs and investments that generate wealth, contribute to the quality of life, and embrace the future. …Establishing
the boundaries of community.
It
is clear that I am here to champion economic development - to help
Kitsap County become a more vibrant business and economic development
community. What is
not so clear is how to define community. What are the boundaries? Who
are my constituents? Where
do I draw the line? Business
and economic development is about enterprise and commerce – about and
the movement of goods and services and ideas and people in and around
neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, regions, states, countries, and
continents. It is
inherently fluid and borderless. It
can never be played effectively in a silo. It is about fabric not rope.
The best economic development initiatives have lots of people
pulling through and securing unique yet necessary threads that
strengthen the economic fabric of the community. It should never be a tug of war or a sanctuary for snipers. This is not to say that it easy or that it can be accomplished overnight. On the contrary successful business and economic development programs requires vision and appetite and courage in the face of both opposition and opportunity. Fortunately I already see around this community much that encourages me. –
During
my recent search for a residence in Kitsap County I looked in
neighborhoods from Lofall to Olalla. I finally settled on a place just off Pioneer Trails Road north
of Poulsbo. It is a
relatively small neighborhood with 28 homes on two streets. At the end of one is a cul-de-sac upon which has been built a
charming gazebo surrounded by a modest yet well–tended garden. A sign at the entrance says, “Friendship Circle”. I felt most welcome. Here
is my community. –
Last
week I drove to Shelton to attend the monthly meeting of the EDC of
Mason County. The group
was lively and the guest speaker most informative. The visit provided an opportunity for me to renew my
acquaintance with the organization’s Director, Tim Sheldon, a long
time-colleague and passionate spokesman for economic development
throughout the State. I
felt most welcome. Here is
my community. –
During
my first week here I stopped by a charming shop in Bainbridge to
purchase a County map and get directions to a local business. The shop
owner was gracious and responsive. Upon learning of my new position she insisted that I come to an
upcoming business association meeting to share my views about economic
development. I felt most
welcome. Here is my
community. –
About
10 days ago I met with members of the leadership team in Bremerton and
toured the City’s downtown redevelopment project. It is an outstanding initiative that will do much to promote
business and economic development in the Puget Sound area. I felt most welcome. Here is my community. –
Friday
evening I attended the 25th anniversary celebration of
Kitsap Mental Health Services. It
is a committed group of people with a compelling mission. As a newcomer I was surprised to find myself assigned to a table
dangerously near the front of the room. As VIP’s and dignitaries were being introduced I was stunned
to hear my name called. There
was no time to comb my hair. I
was certainly honored and felt most welcome. Here is my community It
has only been two weeks and I have already met some extraordinary
people. There is much
truth to the notion that you tend to become the average of the few
people with whom you spend the most time. In addition to my family I am looking forward to spending a lot
of time with a lot of people in this community. Epilogue: The
game is best played with an abundance consciousness because economic
development is about creating opportunities and offering choices not
limiting them. It is also
about the next generation. This
is legacy work. I want my
children (and their children) to be drawn to this community, to feel
welcome, to see that Kitsap County is a great place to live, to work,
to grow a business, to raise a family. I want their opportunities and their community to be boundless. Unfortunately not every one shares this point of view. –
A
few days ago I attended a gathering of local folks at which the merits
of passenger-only ferries was being discussed. Proponents of the initiative put forth the argument that a
“YES” vote would advance economic development in both Kitsap and
King County (specifically Seattle). As counterpoint opponents expressed
concerns about having their tax dollars go to support economic
development in communities outside Kitsap County. This argument gave me pause.
It begs the question of whether economic development is
necessarily a zero-sum game – If I get mine, you don’t get yours. I cannot but wonder how many billions of dollars have flowed
over the past 20+ years from hundreds of communities around the United
States to support directly or indirectly the largess that our community
enjoys because of the Navy’s presence here.
Welcome to my community. David
R. Porter |
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Kitsap Regional Economic
Development Council |
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