| The Kitsap Regional (?) Economic Development Council, of which I was a board member, has made great progress in defining our unique selling advantages. They are, in fact, well documented, from numerous studies over the years. We know that quality of life remains one of our strongest selling points.
Likewise, our competitive disadvantages are well known and progress has been made in generating more business and industrial sites. We're in a better position to grow than we have been in many years.
Interestingly, many of the new tenants in North Kitsap are companies following the growth, positioning themselves to provide services to the new housing developments coming our way. Mostly of these companies are relocating from other locations from within the county. This is growth from within and I submit it is the long term key to our local economic diversification.
The EDC's focus has long been directed at hitting a home run and attracting a major employer and with their recent success of bringing in a call center comes the challenge of providing the community infrastructure to feed, cloth, house and educate the workers and their families. But what happens if that call center closes and 500 jobs are all, simultaneously, jeopardized? Is this any different than relying on a military based economy?
I'd like to suggest that in addition to looking for the long ball, that the KREDC continue to focus on assisting local — existing -— businesses to grow. Are we better off assisting 50 companies add two new employees, or should we keep looking for the Microsoft miracle or one more call center? We have increasingly limited resources for economic development. Where should the time and money be invested?
I'd vote to get the presidents of the 50 largest private employers in the county together, ask them what they need to grow their work forces and then meet their needs, with more job training, education, customer service skills.....let's find out that local employers need and help them get it.
We'll get much more economic diversification and stability by helping 50 companies add two to three new people than we will by focusing on the home run. And we will be rewarding the people who are already here, paying taxes, get the most for their money and create jobs for our children.
Tomatoes or potatoes, let's make the investment in existing local businesses.
Bill Hoke
Hoke Consulting, Poulsbo. | 
