For months now I’ve been writing about some of the opportunities — and a few challenges — for retaining and growing a healthy local economy: the importance of military installations and defense contracting; state tax incentives for local businesses; our competitive position with neighboring states to attract investment and new jobs; the continuous need to improve the business climate so start-ups can succeed; and other related topics.

But there is a discussion that should occur that must be led by you, not me. The question is this: What kind of economic opportunities should we collectively pursue that will achieve the preferred future for you and your family? I would like to hear from you and share your perspectives with other readers.

There are many thoughts and ideas out there, and the ever-changing political, economic, scientific and social environments bring new possibilities.

Take clean tech, for example. Rarely would you find those two words used together 10 years ago. The concept is everywhere today. Communities, businesses and governments throughout the globe are embracing it, but what does it mean in the future context of Kitsap’s communities?

What about health care? A major contributor to the Kitsap economy, how far can it grow?

Should we develop training, education and research as an industry?

Can we use the broad technical and professional capabilities brought here through government contracts as a springboard to new innovations and entrepreneurism? What? How?

Each industry has its own set of operating requirements, and the availability and costs often determine what’s possible. As you develop your ideas, it’s important to consider the essential needs of each kind of business. Food processors need lots of water and the facilities to treat what’s been used; data centers have high demand for energy to run the servers and control the temperature of the buildings that house them; biotech research requires expensive labs; high-volume manufacturers need access to interstate highways, ports, rail, and air freight services; most every business expects a robust communications system to support sales and customer support. They all require access to a high quality and affordable talent and labor pool.

In some cases, access to the unique infrastructure requirements of certain industries will attract them to areas they have never been before. Grant County comes to mind, a part of our state well known for agriculture and very low-cost electricity. Microsoft and Yahoo! found the availability and cost of electricity so attractive they built large data centers in the fields near the small town of Quincy. Walla Walla, Yakima and the Tri-Cities areas have become internationally known for wine; for many years those economies were mostly about onions, apples and nuclear energy, respectfully.

This isn’t to suggest that the emergence of new industries doesn’t bring with it new sets of questions and problems. For example, Yakima County may soon surpass Kitsap in population. Population growth alone shouldn’t be a goal; but growth of a younger (ages 18-35) population should be. That age group is an important workforce demographic, and it can bring new opportunities in other industries. Kitsap may need growth in that age group to support the potential employment demands as SKIA further develops, and many of us retire.

As economic recovery begins its slow process, this is an excellent time to position (or re-position) the Kitsap Peninsula for the opportunities that will define the economic future here.

In your view, how should that unfold? Let me know at stewart [at] kitsapeda [dot] org.