PORT TOWNSEND –Jefferson County Economic Development Council leaders says they are seeing the beginning of a turnaround in the agency after being plagued by inner turmoil in 2004.
They also believe that what took place in 2005 will carry forward through next year so long as business leaders and organizations work together to overcome the “challenges” of the past.
“We need openness,” said Lawrence Graves, the Economic Development Council’s president for about two months.
“Let’s just roll up our sleeves and figure out what we want and produce some results … that people want.”
After the county’s first Economic Summit and a council board retreat, Graves, vice president and manager of Frontier Bank, said priorities in 2006 will include forming business, government and education partnerships and building a skilled and trained work force.
“We need partnerships with give and take,” said Lawrence, who supervises operations in the building where the Economic Development Council and Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce business offices are housed, compliments of Frontier Bank on Upper Sims Way.
Lawrence, a Port Townsend native who left after high school only to return two years ago, specializes in commercial lending.
Consequently, he sees a direct relationship between his business and economic development.
After all, he loans money to help business owners make money and grow their enterprises.
‘Greater good theory’
Graves said he subscribes to the “greater good theory. The betterment of the whole.”
He said he hopes to apply the philosophy during his year leading the Economic Development Council.
He said he has learned to think “outside of the box,” having worked for years in banking in the far more competitive environment of King County.
For that reason, Graves also is willing to consider Clallam netWorks model, the program that broke down the traditional walls of economic development in neighboring Clallam County, creating an economic upswing in that county’s once timber and commercial fishing-dependent economy.
Work force forum
In an attempt to maintain the momentum of the Economic Summit held earlier this month at Fort Worden Commons that drew about 100 business owners and government leaders, the Economic Development Council is planning a Dec. 9 board meeting with a forum on how to build the county’s work force.
The board also will address a draft work plan for 2006.
Lanie McMullin, Everett’s Economic Development and Human Services executive director and a prominent state activist for using the arts in economic development, also will address the council’s leadership.
A specific schedule and agenda will be forthcoming, said council Executive Director Tamer Kirac.