What is Clark County’s economy all about? What does the business community look like here today? What’s it going to look like in the future?
For all the data we have about employment, unemployment and the labor market, these questions are surprisingly difficult to answer. Yet we must have answers before we can address an even bigger question: What is the best, most effective way to nurture business and job growth in Clark County?
For years, leaders at the Columbia River Economic Development Council have been promoting Clark County’s business strengths to the world — and also urging some of the county’s largest current employers to grow here, rather than elsewhere.
Historically those efforts have focused on the big guys. The CREDC worked with the Port of Vancouver to lure Farwest to town, and with SEH America to win tax credits that would support an expansion. Farwest and SEH could bring hundreds of new jobs to Clark County at a time when we’re desperate to put people to work.
A better way?
But could we be overlooking the real engines of our economy? Most of the 12,180 companies in Clark County today are small businesses. The average local business has just 10 employees.
Could it be more effective to nurture these small businesses continuously, rather than to work with a few big companies a few times a year? Or is it better to spend limited resources on a few large firms that can make a big difference?
Lately, local people dedicated to fostering job creation have been asking these very questions. They’re still pursuing the big fish, but they’re also spending more energy on small companies.
Most importantly, they’re also digging for more data, so that in the future they can try to be even more successful.
Seeking answers
The CREDC and others interested in job development in Clark County have commissioned consultants to develop a data-supported strategic plan. It will look at which local sectors are growing, which are shrinking, and where the most opportunities are for job growth here. That report is due in September.
Meanwhile, nonprofit Impact Washington is conducting a statewide survey of manufacturers that could shed light on a sector that employs 11,800 local people. Manufacturing is a much smaller sector than it was two decades ago, but it remains a key source of high-paying jobs. Impact Washington plans to publish its findings in November.
Bonnie Moore, who works as director of business services for both the CREDC and the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, said these two studies will help economic development officials “refocus the focus.”
“We know what Clark County’s strengths were in our grandfather’s generation, but we have to ask, ‘What are our strengths now?’” Moore said.
Yet another question. By year end, we should have some answers.
Courtney Sherwood is The Columbian’s business and features editor. Reach her at 360-735-4561 or courtney.sherwood@columbian.com.
