I'm curious, what are some of the plans and proposals going around to encourage economic development? Other than "lower taxes," do you all know how/why business move to an area? Or what kind of environment helps start businesses?
There never has been any plan to do any real Economic Development for Elk County, IMHO. I don’t believe there is any desire to bring any outsiders into Elk County on a permanent basis. I happen to think, if there was any desire to bring a decent size manufacturer into Elk County from California it could have been done. That would be Economic Development.
Being advertisers for retail businesses is not Economic Development. But would perhaps be the job of the Chamber of Commerce. IMHO.
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Regardless of what you all thought of Jennifer (please don't take this as an opportunity to bash her again) I still believe it was a very bad move to get rid of the economic development department in this county.
If discussing the job Jennifer had and did for the County is considered bashing her, don't you suppose you should avoid the subject!
I asked Jennifer during County Commissioners meetings, what she was doing for Economic Development and what she said amounted to doing nothing more than acting the part of an information operator, a real-estate agent, or a simple internet search engine. And it was more than apparent that she was working more for Elk Konnected, LLC than the Elk County Government and the e-mail from the editor confirms that in my opinion.
So anyway I feel left to ask where is the growth in Elk County that is connected with her Economic Development efforts? I still see the county population retracting?
Jennifer chose to quit the job as Economic Development and consequently, as I understand it, the job was given to another employee.
Unless there is an active attitude and a real plan for real economic development and a desire to bring in outside manufacturers and real money to provide good paying jobs, I don’t see where there is the need for a Department. I do believe an Economic Development Department would consist of more than one part time employee doing some real work towards development.
I have watched the little hamburger stand in Longton perform his own economic development and I believe he is doing quite well. Also I have watched the very new veterinary business in Moline develop rather quickly. And not asking the county doing anything for them. Oh and there is the brand new liquor store in Longton that appears to be doing well!