In Our View: Recovering Together

Anyone connected to the economic future of Clark County should pay close attention to the Miami Heat, a reverse role model when it comes to teamwork. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh arguably are the best threesome of basketball stars on any single team, but because the Miami Heat lacked teamwork, the NBA trophy was on parade in Dallas last week.

And until the strongest economic forces of Clark County collaborate more effectively, our community will not enjoy a full economic recovery and embark on a new era of prosperity. That was the biggest take-away from a recent report by a Texas-based consultant. It was good to get an outsider’s perspective, and TIP Strategies Inc. of Austin pulled no punches. With this county’s multitude of municipalities and government agencies, plus ports, educational institutions and economic development interests, we’ve got plenty of talented players. Getting them all on the same page — moving together aggressively — is the trick.

An emerging transition beyond traditional leadership could work in our favor. Crucial changes are taking place. In recent months, Bart Phillips has resigned as Columbia River Economic Development Council leader, and Ginger Metcalf has retired as director of Identity Clark County (replaced by Paul Montague). Hal Dengerink is retiring as chancellor at Washington State University Vancouver, and Larry Paulson has entered his last year as top official at the Port of Vancouver. Former Camas Mayor Paul Dennis is heading up a new economic development agency in east Clark County.

If all the new leaders don’t listen to each other and advance collectively, the consultant’s vision of local prosperity in information technology, health care and trade cannot unfold. They have all the necessary planks for the foundation of teamwork: no state income tax, a growing health care sector, a diversified business base, a regional appeal to educated young workers and a strong regional transportation network of ports, rail, airports and highways.

Also, there is WSUV’s expressed commitment to economic development, described by interim Chancellor Lynn Valenter: “The recognition of WSUV as a research institution, and that part of what research institutions do is help drive local economic development, is wonderful. On the larger, level it’s kind of a perfect match.” That’s a good start toward building the business-oriented research park that TIP recommends.

Those are Clark County’s assets in the drive toward economic recovery. But here are the area’s challenges: chronic high unemployment, an aging inventory of office buildings and a relatively small share of college graduates. We also have fallen short in the effective branding of our county as an economic player. A new identity is needed beyond just the bumper-sticker mentality. “This is an appeal for a fresh look at marketing and positioning,” the TIP report explained, “captured not through tag lines but through a better understanding of what attracts people to Clark County and what business growth would keep them local.”

A couple of recommendations are eyebrow-raisers. Tying “infrastructure development” to proceeds from Clark County’s real estate excise tax will not — and should not — be viewed favorably by local elected officials. That pie already has too many pieces. And the belief that some form of new taxes could support the research park does not make sense during the lingering economic crisis.

But there’s no doubt that Clark County’s powerful players are not playing powerfully together. With so many new leaders stepping into the process, there’s ample reason to believe an aggressive, innovative approach could move our community ahead of others as the recovery takes form.