[Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth

[B. J. Swanson]

Matt,

To my knowledge, Schweitzer never tried to build in Moscow.  LEDC didn't 
exist until 1987 so it may have been the Chamber that handled it in 1982, 
but I doubt that Moscow was ever in the running then.  Ed Schweitzer is a 
WSU grad and has always been very supportive and committed to Pullman.

Perhaps the confusion is with Advanced Hardware Architecture (AHA).  They 
started in Moscow in the 1980's, moved to Coeur d'Alene, then back to 
Moscow in the U-I Incubator.  In the early 1990's AHA wanted to expand out 
of the Incubator, but try as we might, there was not a suitable place for 
them in Moscow and they moved to the Port of Whitman in Pullman.  However, 
now they are back in Moscow as Comtech-AHA and a great addition to this 
community.  Recruiting Comtech-AHA back to Moscow was a joint effort by 
the City of Moscow, Latah County, Latah Economic Development Council, 
Clearwater Economic Development Council, Idaho Department of Commerce & 
Labor, INEEL and many others.

Losing AHA in the early 1990's was the wake-up call that brought about 
Alturas Technology Park so we wouldn't continue losing those kinds of 
businesses that pay better than living wages and contribute to the 
community in so many other ways.

If there is ever an opportunity to get a part of Schweitzer in Moscow, I'm 
certain the whole community and the State of Idaho will roll out the red 
carpet for them just as we did for Comtech-AHA.

I certainly agree with your statement about retail FOLLOWING the higher 
end jobs.  Retail following good jobs is the ideal and sustainable way for 
a community to grow.

B. J. Swanson

--------------------------------

BJ,

Did Schweitzer try to build in Moscow or not. If not I stand corrected. It 
really is not the basis of my argument which is that our council I believe 
is not PRO growth. Yes who wouldn't love the fact of picking and choosing 
what businesses we should have. But reality shows this is a free country 
and 
I have no problem if a superwal mart or giant jelly bean factory would 
also 
follow the higher end jobs.

Matt

>From: "B. J. Swanson" <bjswan at moscow.com>
>Reply-To: bjswan at moscow.com
>To: "'Vision 2020'" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth
>Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 06:50:35 -0800
>
>Matt,
>
>The "losing Schweitzer" rumor seems to be one of the mantras of the group
>claiming that Moscow is anti-growth and anti-business.  Since Schweitzer
>Engineering started in Pullman in 1982, it seems a far stretch to use that
>as a basis for their anti-growth, anti-business campaign in 2006.
>
>B. J. Swanson
>
>------------------
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Matt Decker [mailto:mattd2107 at hotmail.com]
>Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 8:06 PM
>To: bjswan at moscow.com; vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth
>
>Ms. Swanson,
>
>I am refering too years ago, when Schweitzer tried to start up their
>business in the Moscow area. It would be great if we could get some
>businesses like that here though.
>
>
> >From: "B. J. Swanson" <bjswan at moscow.com>
> >To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> >Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth
> >Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 02:35:45 GMT
> >
> >Matt,
> >
> >Anatek Labs and Alturas Analytics are located at 1282 Alturas Drive.
> >
> >Comtech-AHA is located at 1126 Alturas Drive.
> >
> >I have been on several "Red Carpet Committees" to try and lure a part of
> >Schweitzer Engineering to Moscow.  At one time, they even identified the
> >Thompson property (proposed Wal-Mart site) as their favorite.  The last
> >committee even had the backing of the State of Idaho Department of
> >Commerce and Labor to offer everything that was legally possible to
> >offer.  No Go.  Schweitzer is very committed to Pullman and all we can 
>say
> >is "Good for Pullman."
> >
> >To say Schweitzer was shunned away is totally false.
> >
> >B. J. Swanson
> >
>
>--------------------------

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