You have a meaningful role to play in creating jobs and improving the local economy. Here’s your call to action.

It’s widely believed the national economy has yet to find the bottom of this cycle, and the road to improvement will be long and difficult. Business, government and education leaders in every community in the country are trying to figure out the quickest and best way out for their economies, even if it means taking jobs from somewhere else.

It’s going to get increasingly competitive out there for good jobs and investment.

The latest high-profile example was evidenced by Boeing’s decision to purchase a facility in South Carolina where fuselage assemblies for the 787 are occurring. There has been growing concern about the future of aircraft manufacturing in Washington, and this acquisition further fueled the anxiety.

South Carolina, after all, may lack many of the value qualities (skilled workforce, supplier base, preferential state tax system, etc.) for aerospace companies, but it is low-cost. And it has long been an aggressive state when it comes to luring new industry, offering tax incentives and public investment beyond what Washington is legally or politically willing to do.

While we don’t know at this time how much risk this acquisition actually presents, the situation exemplifies the need to mobilize here in the best interests of the Kitsap Peninsula. Retaining key employers as they are heading out the door is tough work. Attracting new investment and jobs from outside the area is tough work. These tasks rarely have positive outcomes when community initiative is absent.

So in the challenged economic environment we have been dealt, let’s be sure we are in the game with the strongest team we can field, and that we are proactive with our aspirations. Here’s what you can do:

Join the team. Kitsap Economic Development Alliance is in the midst of a private sector membership campaign (our membership is open to all who support this mission). If you haven’t been contacted by a KEDA board member, phone me at 360-377-9599. A complete list of our board and membership is on our web site. Learn who you will be running with at www.kitsapeda.org.

Commit to participate. In partnership with the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, KEDA launched an aggressive business climate improvement initiative called Kitsap 20/20. We have active task groups of volunteers working on such initiatives as streamlined permitting, value-added agriculture, taxes and incentives, tourism, education and workforce development, buy local, transportation, broadband, and many others. Kitsap 20/20 strategies also can be found on our web site and we’re happy to sign you up for one that interests you most.

Discover opportunities through your contacts. Family and friends in other locations; business associates; vendors; consultants — they provide a network for accessing prospective opportunities and you are the only person who can access it. Renew contacts, and ask them questions about their companies or employers. Tell them about opportunities for them if they locate in Kitsap County, or purchase from other Kitsap businesses. Please phone me if KEDA staff can assist.

Endeavor to purchase locally. Perhaps never in your business or personal life has this principle been more impactful than right now. Please review purchasing practices — yours and your organization.

Your timing for taking these actions could be no better.