[Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow

Sun Oct 28 13:55:38 PDT 2007

Bruce,

I've got some responses below.  But, I want to be upfront.  I don't think I
have any magic bullets that will solve any problems.  Wouldn't it be great
if I did?  Then all the members of the GMA, MCA, Republicans, Democrats,
Libertarian, Librarians, etc could gather 'round me, join hands and sing
kumbayah.  Seriously, I plan to help in finding solutions by simply doing
the best in my job that I can.  Specific responses below:

On 10/26/07, jeanlivingston <jeanlivingston at turbonet.com> wrote:
>
> Darrell,
>
> It is nice to have you here, offering observations.
>
> That being said, have you any solutions to offer?
>

I'm not sure that I have solutions, but I do have a method.  First, lets
understand the limitation of my scope.  My job is to represent the interests
of the Chambers membership, which is a large cross section of the local
business community.  I work to represent these interests at local, state and
national levels.

My method?  Simple.  It is to do my best to bring this disparate group of
over 400 together via our various Chamber committees (I mentioned what those
are in an earlier note-more can be added as we grow and needs change),
creating a common vision for what our members see Moscow as becoming.  I
agree with the famous quote "a house divided can not stand," and know this
approach will lead toward a prosperous future.

I believe that you are aware of the first steps I've taken to begin this
process.  For those that aren't: I'm working to put together a nominating
committee to help fill the Chambers committees with a wide variety of local
business leaders and/or experts in needed areas.  I will not be asking them
what their politics are as I recruit them.  Only if they are interested in
having a positive impact on the local economy.

   How do you propose to change that "anti-business" perception,
>

See above for answer.

 that you say may have no basis in reality, (though you don't say it
> doesn't, either)?
>

You are correct in calling me out on not giving an opinion on whether or not
the perception has a basis in reality.  I didn't give one.  That was for
three reasons:
1.  I don't believe it matters whether the perception has a basis in
reality.  If the perception is there, it is detrimental to local business.
2.  If I give MY opinion, it would be just that.  MY opinion.  But, it would
be misconstrued as being the Chambers opinion.
3.  My job is to express the opinions of the Chamber in areas such as this.
The Chamber, either through its Board of Directors, or a survey of its
members, has not taken a position.

   One group that is perceived as "anti-business" is struggling mightily to
> correct that misperception, www.moscowcivic.org .
>

Yes, I've heard of 2 groups locally that each claim to be working to correct
that perception.  MCA, and GMA, as you know.  Of course, these groups aren't
in complete agreement on how to go about doing so.  Funny thing is, as I've
talked to members of both groups, despite their differences, I've found they
also have a lot in common.  Isn't that what makes life so interesting?  And
what makes civic discourse so important?

 I would assume that you would agree that is a step in the right direction
> and would be a positive means of helping to eliminate the (I believe)
> eroneous anti-business charges.  Is it helpful to have pillars of the
> business community running advertisements ad nauseum touting our community
> as anti-business?
>

That is one hot political potato you've thrown my way there!  I can't
possibly answer it without seeming to take a political stance for one side
or the other.  As I've said in other posts, the Chamber does not often seek
to be overtly political.  Rather, the Chamber seeks to be informational,
allowing our constituency to make up their own minds about the issues of the
day.  We've done our best to inform our constituency of the issues of this
election, and like both MCA and GMA, encourage everyone to get out and vote.

> How would you as Chamber E.D. propose to eliminate this "anti-business
> 'perception' " ?
>

Hopefully my statements above have provided a clear answer to your question.

Always a pleasure to correspond with you.  See you soon!
Darrell

 Bruce
>
>
> -----Original message-----
> From: "Darrell Keim" keim153 at gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:03:05 -0700
> To: "Bruce and Jean Livingston" jeanlivingston at turbonet.com
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow
>
> > Bruce,
> > Responses below:
> >
> >
> > On 10/25/07, Bruce and Jean Livingston wrote:
> > >
> > > Darrell, good to hear from you again.
> > >
> > > I don't think I disagree with you on any point in this post. And I
> don't
> > > see any point you make as inconsistent with my personal feelings about
> the
> > > best future direction of the city.
> > >
> >
> > I really wasn't seeking to be inflammatory with the post, more
> > informational. A lot of people don't consider the business environment
> and
> > its impact on our town when they talk quality of life.
> >
> >
> > > I recognize the existence here of a healthy retail economy and a
> vibrant
> > > downtown, and I acknowledge that they contribute to our quality of
> life.
> > > Are you suggesting that either our local retail or business climate is
> not
> > > healthy? If so, what is unhealthy and how would you propose to make
> things
> > > healthier?
> > >
> >
> > I've talked to alot of people about this of late, and got a lot of
> > opinions. One of the goals I've set for myself as the new Chamber E.D.
> is
> > to meet with several of our member businesses each week. I ask them a
> > variety of questions, and always include this one: "What do you think is
> > the biggest issue facing Moscow business?" Over half have told me they
> > think it is the cities anti-business reputation, be it real or simply
> > perceived.
> >
> > Even if the reputation is simply something perceived, with no basis in
> > reality, it is an impediment to business that we need to be concerned
> about.
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Bruce
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > *From:* Darrell Keim
> > > *To:* Tom Hansen
> > > *Cc:* Tom Hansen ; v2020
> > > *Sent:* Thursday, October 25, 2007 2:22 PM
> > > *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow
> > >
> > >
> > > Bill et al:
> > >
> > > I was at the MCA's recent economic forum. I found it to be very
> > > interesting in both what was addressed, and what wasn't. I felt the
> > > panelists did a fair job of describing what aspects of Moscow drew
> them to
> > > locate here. Nice parks, short/no commute, culture, universities, etc.
> If
> > > pushed, I think the panelists would summarize what brought them as
> quality
> > > of life. Also mentioned as reasons for coming to Moscow were Alturas
> and
> > > the Small Business Incubator.
> > >
> > > I liked what BJ Swanson had to say about the importance of bringing in
> > > higher paying jobs (The example in her case being tech. jobs. Other
> types
> > > of high paying jobs create the same phenomenon). Essentially, she
> advocated
> > > for working to bring in higher paying jobs, and that retail businesses
> would
> > > follow. I think I can accurately quote her as saying "You can't build
> an
> > > economy on retail jobs alone."
> > >
> > > Or, as Stu Scott said at another recent economic forum (paraphrasing
> > > again), some businesses re-circulate and slightly magnify the dollar.
> To
> > > truly grow the economy you've got to manufacture something. (The same
> forum
> > > mentioned something like $1.15 going into the economy for every $1
> spent at
> > > a local chain store. And, $1.25 going into the local economy for every
> > > dollar spent at a locally owned merchant. I digress...)
> > >
> > > I can agree with almost all of the above discussed at the forum. I
> would
> > > add that Moscow has traditionally "manufactured" education and
> agriculture.
> > > The UI and agriculture have been our biggest "factories." And, just as
> BJ's
> > > model predicts, those high paying education and ag. "factories"
> brought in
> > > what we currently have for a business climate.
> > >
> > > Now for the part that I found interesting because of its absence:
> > > How is quality of life defined?
> > > How does our local business climate fit into the quality of life
> picture?
> > >
> > > *The above, it seems to me, is the crux of our current civic debate.*
> > >
> > > So, how is quality of life defined?
> > > Ask a hundred people and get a hundred different answers.
> > >
> > > The panelists listed as quality of life indicators such things as:
> parks,
> > > walkability, little traffic. Quality of life must have something else
> to
> > > it, too. If quality of life is ONLY the items listed by the forum,
> then I
> > > humbly suggest that Garfield and Oakesdale also fit the bill quite
> nicely to
> > > become hotbeds of technological development.
> > >
> > > Hopefully you understand the above was sarcasm.
> > >
> > > I believe there is another, as yet unmentioned, aspect of quality of
> > > life. I submit that what makes Moscow's quality of life so good is the
> > > great combination we have of parks, traffic, etc; with our engaged
> > > citizenry, and good local economy.
> > >
> > > How does our local business climate fit into the quality of life
> picture?
> > > In a lot of ways, our existing businesses are what make our quality of
> > > life possible:
> > > Businesses provide the jobs that allow people to live here.
> > > Businesses pay taxes helping to make our parks and infrastructure
> > > possible. (Incidentally, the businesses also make it possible for the
> people
> > > that live here to pay taxes.)
> > > Businesses make it possible for us to get our "necessities" locally.
> > > I'm sure others can come up with more to add to the list.
> > >
> > > Smart businesses looking to locate here realize they won't be
> operating in
> > > a vacuum. They look at ALL of our local business and social
> environment
> > > before deciding to grow here. They look from a business perspective at
> our
> > > city government, infrastructure, parks, ecology, businesses already
> present,
> > > etc.
> > >
> > > Smart businesses also look at a bigger picture beyond "bottom line"
> > > items. They look from a social perspective to see if their employees
> will
> > > be happy living in the community, again looking at our city
> government,
> > > infrastructure, parks, ecology, businesses already present, etc. Both
> > > perspectives must be promising for it to be a strong match.
> > >
> > > Moscow would be unattractive to high wage paying employers if we did
> not
> > > already have a strong mix of local businesses and retail stores.
> > >
> > > To put it simply, prospective businesses are looking to grow their new
> > > "factories" on the shoulders of what is already here.
> > >
> > > I strongly believe in working to bring in high paying jobs. To do so
> we
> > > must be aware of what about our existing structure is going to be an
> > > attractor, and we must work to keep it healthy.
> > >
> > > Later,
> > > Darrell
> > >
> > >
> > > > R-
> > > > You missed the point.
> > > > These high-tech jobs can go anywhere. All towns want them.
> > > > The entrepreneurs can be choosy, and they are choosy. They want
> towns
> > > with
> > > > a high quality of life.
> > > > If Moscow sacrifices its high quality of life for (what you describe
> as)
> > > > "almost anything that will provide jobs, increase the tax base and
> > > improve
> > > > the overall economy", then we lose what now attracts these high-tech
> > > jobs.
> > > > You just can not have it both ways.
> > > > I want to live in a town that maintains its high quality of life and
> > > > therefore is attractive to high-tech jobs -- not a town that has no
> > > > standards but goes for any growth.
> > > > BL
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > =======================================================
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> > > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > > http://www.fsr.net
> > > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > > =======================================================
> > >
> > >
> > > =======================================================
> > > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> > > http://www.fsr.net
> > > mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > > =======================================================
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
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