Area Needs To Build On Its Foundation

Forbes Magazine gave Spokane a jolt the other day, in an article evaluating the business climate of 162 cities. The magazine ranked Spokane 161st. It ranked Seattle first.

That’s no surprise, given the magazine’s criteria. Forbes looked for high wages and concentrations of high-tech industry.

Spokane’s strengths lie elsewhere. Other magazine comparisons have rated Spokane highly as a place to operate a small business, raise a family, play golf, enjoy the outdoors.

More important than comparisons by outsiders, is this question: What is being done, by people who live here and know the community best, to make it better?

We know our weaknesses. The Forbes ranking reverberated here because its criteria are among Spokane’s goals. In 1987, hundreds of local business leaders set out to raise household incomes and attract new jobs in technology and manufacturing. Progress has occurred. But quick, easy solutions haven’t.

A city is truly weak if it does nothing to grow stronger, if it yields to despair and the politics of negativism. Then, opportunities to advance become targets for sour demagoguery and quibbling.

In healthy cities people occupy themselves by building things.

Spokane’s community dialogue does flirt with negativism. This, like the low wages, hurts us.

We have much to do - and some things to celebrate.

Our economy, population, employment and wages are growing at 2 to 3 percent annually.

Early successes, such as the Boeing plant, have been followed by other business start-ups and expansions. Recent breakthroughs include the B.F. Goodrich plant that will make airplane brakes, and the Software Spectrum offices where nearly 500 employees provide tech support for Microsoft Windows 98 and other products.

Local voters have invested in libraries and schools.

The state is investing in area roads, higher education, K-12 computer networks.

Private entrepreneurs are wiring the city with high-speed computer cable.

Area hospitals are developing a telemedicine network, based here.

Liberty Lake has a growing technology park. Local hospitals and area universities are moving toward a tantalizing future in medical research, education and technology.

Thanks to state help a new convention center has become affordable.

These are promising foundations.

We need more.

At the Chamber of Commerce, local business leaders are working to smooth the governmental permitting process. They are working to create a network where local investors can connect with entrepreneurs who require seed and venture capital. They dream of new tools - tax increment financing and a port district - for the provision of developable sites.

Each city has its own history, strengths and opportunities. Each city must choose its own path, whether it leads down, or up.