Attitude helps swing local recovery
I have lived in five states and a number of cities. Vancouver, by comparison to those and its neighboring cities, is faring better and has not had to suffer nearly as much. Vancouver is conspicuously healthier in terms of unemployment (Bureau of Labor Statistics), holding at 8.6 percent in May compared to Reno at 11.8 and San Francisco at 9.3. The national unemployment recently reflected 9.2 percent reported by The National Conference of State Legislatures. Time can be well spent in the next several months toward planning and positioning to take advantage of a predicted stronger economy in 2012.
Finally, and most encouraging, I find the general attitude of the people here to be healthier. There is pride, not arrogance; there is exercised caution, not despair, and I find wholesome and patient confidence among those with whom I have conducted business recently. And it’s everyone, from those who worked for me to those who work for others and from the small-business owner to the corporation I served that was looking for a 100,000-square-foot warehouse. Right on, Vancouver.
Eric D. Constable
Vancouver
