Whatcom County Commercial Real Estate
The Whatcom Economic Development Council's goal is to develop better support for area businesses and that is good for Whatcom County commercial real estate.
EDC Refines Its Goals
DAVE GALLAGHER
A local business organization appears ready to rise from the ashes and get back to providing leadership in economic development.
The Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council held its general meeting last week, updating members on what the organization has been doing and what’s next. It’s an annual event, and in the past hundreds of people would attend. At Wednesday’s meeting, there were 15 people in attendance, along with the EDC’s board.
The scaled-down EDC spent much of 2006 in an introspective mode. Last spring the organization decided to let Executive Director Rob Pochert go, not renewing his contract. Membership was down, costs were up and the board decided to take a step back, take a collective breath, and figure out what to do next. The group reduced staff from three paid positions to 1.5 and cut back some of its services.
The result of this inward reflection has brought about a very different EDC, at least based on the discussion at the meeting.
"We will be doing things a different way, because what we had been doing simply wasn’t working,” said Ray Trzynka, EDC board chair.
The organization appears ready to accept a new strategy: To act more in a support role for other business organizations, help grow the businesses that are already here and become more inclusive for the entire community.
Acting in a support role. Nancy Jordan, the EDC’s executive director, said the organization plans to reach out to groups such as the local Technology Alliance Group and Agriculture Preservation Committee.
"We plan on approaching business groups and companies to see if there is a way we can strengthen what they are already doing,” said Jordan, who recently had the “interim” tag from her title as executive director dropped by the board. “We’re not here to re-invent anything; we want to act as support.”
"Helping grow the businesses that are already here. This has been done in the past on some level, but it’s going to be more of a focus. The EDC won’t focus on trying to get companies to relocate here from other parts of the country. While successfully relocating a company would make headlines, it’s the growing of companies already here that creates a more vibrant economy," Trzynka said.
"We already have enough here to grow, and the local companies are resources we can’t afford to lose,” Trzynka said. “We can be more successful with retention of what we have than trying to bring companies here. Of course, we will help companies that have expressed an interest in this area.”
Becoming more inclusive. In the past the EDC has tended to be composed of public entities and large companies. The group’s goal now is to develop better ties with the entire community.
"There are people who are against growth, and we want to have a broader conversation with them,” Trzynka said. “Hopefully we can find some common ground about what type of growth and where it should be. We want to break down the disconnect that has taken place between people who live here and the business community. I’m looking forward to a more philosophical conversation and finding solutions.”
Jordan agreed, saying the debate has become too polarized. She is hoping for more of a middle road when it comes to economic development. Most people, she said, understand that uncontrolled growth would ruin this area, while “no growth” would stagnate the economy.
"It’s important to remember that we’re more alike than we think right now,” Jordan said.
In the 10 years covering business in this community, I’ve never really heard these concepts being discussed by the EDC.
By being in a support role and trying to be more inclusive, maybe the organization can get back on its feet again. I hope so, because leadership in economic development is needed, and it’s needed in partnership with the public and private sector.
With indicators showing low unemployment, job growth and rising income in this area, it may seem the local economy is just humming along. It may be on some level, but there are issues that need to be addressed. One of the biggest in Trzynka’s mind is wages.
"There is a break that is taking place where we have high wages and low wages, but not enough in-between,” Trzynka said. “That divide should be a concern for this community.”
Trzynka and Jordan feel the EDC can provide leadership to help solve this with a behind the- scenes strategy.
"Historically an EDC isn’t splashy; it’s more of a strategically focused organization, working on collaboration to get things done,” Trzynka said. “We should be doing the cheer leading for the success of other businesses and organizations.” |