supporting a resilient and prosperous local economy
Running a successful small business is never easy. Doing so in a small university town in the 21st century comes with its own set of challenges. I believe there are steps we can take to attract and sustain the businesses that provide valuable services and local employment to our community. Here are a few:
Boost summer tourism
The summer is a tough time for local businesses. Between vacationing locals and college students, a large portion of our community leaves town for long stretches of time. To offset the smaller customer base during the summer, we should cultivate awareness of what Monmouth has to offer to people visiting from beyond our immediate area.
Invest in economic development
The city's Community Development department is responsible for city planning, coordinating the variety of volunteer boards and commissions, and economic development. It is also staffed by a single person. As competent as they are, there aren't enough hours in the day to manage both ongoing work and actively pursue new economic opportunities for the city. We should provide adequate staffing and resources to the Community Development Director to help grow the economic opportunities that can provide jobs, stability and vibrancy to our community.
Help small businesses embrace the opportunities of the Internet
As a programmer and entrepreneur who has made his living online, I see the impact now and into the future that the Internet can have on small businesses, both good and bad. Given that thriving downtowns depend on the success of local businesses, I would like to help the city engage with the local business community in an ongoing discussion around how their work is being reshaped by technology.
Provide opportunities for student entrepreneurship
I caught the business-startup bug in college. Fortunately for me and many of my fellow students, there were many resources nearby to encourage us to make the leap to starting our own businesses.
Running a business will always be hard, but it has never been easier to get started. Students at WOU need not leave town to find employment if we can make space for them to invent their own jobs right here. I would like to see the University, the city, the Monmouth Business Association and the chamber of commerce collaborate to provide space and expertise to students interested in starting businesses.
Do you have other ideas that could strengthen our economy? Let me know.