[Vision2020] Dispel the anti-growth myth

[Jeff Harkins]

Mr Hansen,

Hmmm - are you wanting to spar or was that a sincere question?  I'll 
assume that it was a sincere question.

I think that is the point - it appears we are in agreement.  Please 
note that my statement used "may" and then the "but" becomes very important

I have redirected some of my shopping to the new stores - I like the 
selection at the Bed Bath and Beyond, the new BBQ is pretty good, 
etc.  But retail is consumer driven and we will see if the customers 
like the new stores.

I have met a few retirees who settled here because of UI, WSU, other 
amenities, including shopping met their needs.

I have also met a few who did not think there was enough choice, too 
cold in winter, too much snow to move, roads not good enough and so on .....

But it appears that we both recognize that the real challenge is to 
attract businesses that produce goods and/or services for export and 
pay good wages.

And, there is a lot of competition for that kind of business.

Does that answer your question, ie, are you enlightened?  ;-))  Now 
that was meant to be funny!


At 08:06 PM 10/29/2007, you wrote:
>Jeff Harkins stated:
>
>"New retail doesn't hurt us - in fact it may make the community more
>attractive to potential residents, but it doesn't really mitigate our need
>for new economic development."
>
>Please enlighten us, Mr. Harkins.  How is retail going to "make the
>community more attractive to potential residents" if the jobs are not here
>to sufficiently raise a family?  That is unless, of course, your scope of
>"residents" is limited to those between 18 and 22 years of age.
>
>Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>"We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The college
>students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."
>
>- Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)
>
>-----Original Message-----
>
>From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
>On Behalf Of Jeff Harkins
>Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:54 PM
>To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Dispel the anti-growth myth
>
>The list provided by Brandy Sullivan is indeed good news, but as has
>been noted in all of the economic development forums the past couple
>of years, including last weeks' venue, (while providing more consumer
>choice) does little if anything to add "high paying" jobs to the
>area.  It appears that all of the businesses named are retail stores
>(I am not sure about Bio-Tracking) which do help to keep local
>dollars here, but they must compete with neighboring retail shops to do
>that.
>
>The expansion of NW River Supplies does count, but remember, that was
>a "dark store" that was put to use.  It is unclear as to whether Bill
>would have expanded if it weren't for the abandoned Tidyman's.
>
>It is very helpful to have Alturis Analytics expand their
>operation.  Their ability to survive the early years and make it to
>expansion is a credit to the management.  And this is how a research
>park is supposed to function - help a firm get started and nurture
>them through the early years.
>
>The most efficient and effective form of economic development is to
>expand our exporting capacity - thereby bringing new dollars into the
>community.  That means we need to encourage the production of
>something (goods and/or services) that can be sold outside of our community.
>
>New retail doesn't hurt us - in fact it may make the community more
>attractive to potential residents, but it doesn't really mitigate our
>need for new economic development.
>
>In any case, congrats to all those retail entrepreneurs - good luck to
>you!!!