The Governor’s annual Conference on Economic Development held on Nov. 20 – 21, 2003, was another success this year for Director Martha Choe, and the Washington State Office of Community, Trade and Economic Development (OCTED). Economic practitioners, private businesses and support services such as educational institutions from every corner of the state came together in mass to learn more about new techniques in developing our state’s economy. It is clear that even while Choe continues to show leadership in our state in economic development, she also believes deeply in the people of this state, from the urban centers of the I-5 corridor, to the rural and urban communities of Eastern Washington and the Olympic Coastal Region.

One of the better-attended breakout sessions at the conference was on “Regional Partners”, a panel consisting of the members of the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Bob Drewel, past president and a member of the executive board, led off the presentations by expounding on the merits of regional partnerships and cooperation. He clearly recognized the coordinated and collective strengths of partners who create the critical mass necessary to stimulate transformational development for the region, its partners, and beyond. Other members of the panel included Stephen Reynolds, CEO of Puget Energy, Bruce Kendall from the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board, Andrea McMakin from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Betty Nokes of the Bellevue Change of Commerce. Ann Avary, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Jefferson County, spoke from the floor regarding the seven county effort of the Olympic Coastal Region to coordinate resources. Avary also spoke about the regional effort of the Olympic Peninsula Economic Partnership (OPEP) that she is leading along with the Industry Cluster Institute (ICI). This project focuses on Jefferson, Kitsap and Clallam as a joint effort to support and stimulate the maritime businesses in the region. The mood of this particular session was one of expectation. Drewel, stepped up, and offered to follow up with any and all who might be interested in more information of the continual pursuit of regional development activities.

One of the highlights of the conference was the honoring of Jim Haguewood, executive director of the Clallam County Economic Development Council and the primary leader of the Clallam netWorks coalition. Haguewood and colleagues received this prestigious award for their successes in developing seven local industry focused groups who have created 500 new family wage jobs in the last two years.

Other sessions during the conference focused on the development of local and regionally based services, whereby, an entrepreneur can work with the professional services necessary to develop a strong business. This includes the organization of ‘Angel Seed Capital Networks’ statewide by the Washington Technology Center, which not only provides capital and expertise to struggling start-ups, but also gives investors in the rural communities a structured venue to participate in quality deals.

This new way of investing is critical to rural areas because of the high volume of professionals who have retired to the non-urban communities of our state and who want to be personally invested in the success of the businesses of their communities.

Washington’s leaders of economic development clearly see the future as bright, with new opportunities. They do not view the growth of jobs as an entitlement to the citizens of our state, but are working hard to support the development of our businesses, and creating strong, healthy communities.

(Editor’s Note: Dale King may be reached at dking@industrycluster.org, or (360) 307-8500.).