As the election approaches, I thought I would share some of my views on various issues.
The first topic I’d like to discuss is economic development. Over my lifetime in Centre County, the County has historically weathered economic recession in good condition. However, this fortunate circumstance has created complacency in our economic development efforts, specifically in the retention and attraction of business and industry to the County. Because this has been a historically low-priority item, our current economic development efforts are disjointed, inefficient and unduly bureaucratic resulting in significantly long lead times for businesses and industries looking to expand or locate and lost opportunities for Centre County.
As Commissioner, I would work to make economic develop an important priority. The County already possesses many fine public and private business associations, organizations and industrial and redevelopment authorities but lacks a single countywide point-of-contact for new company prospects. The County’s Department of Planning and Community Development could very capably serve in this role as well as provide administrative support to track available sites and buildings and assist in the various marketing efforts of these existing organizations. Best of all, these things can be done at little to no cost to taxpayers either through the use of current staff or partial reallocation of existing funds now directed toward economic development initiatives.
The current economic times are difficult for many Centre County residents. It is time that your County Commissioners change current policy to reflect the need to grow and diversify the businesses and industries that sustain us and create the quality of life that we so enjoy here in Centre County.
