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A look at half-full business parks, empty downtown storefronts and a main street occupied increasingly by professionals rather than retail businesses is the proof: Powell is in dire need of a person to fill a full-time economic-development …
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A look at half-full business parks, empty downtown storefronts and a main street occupied increasingly by professionals rather than retail businesses is the proof: Powell is in dire need of a person to fill a full-time economic-development role.For years, this community relied on Dave Reetz to fill that need — in a position bankrolled by a private business, First National Bank and Trust. But with Reetz's retirement and the acquisition of First National by an out-of-state corporation, that luxury has come to an end. The necessity, however, has not. A professional who will actively identify needs, recruit businesses and facilitate overall growth won't come cheap, but this community can't afford to go without. Those things simply don't happen by themselves.A partnership, led by the city, is one viable solution to funding the position. Other answers certainly exist. The time is now for local business leaders to put their heads together and plot the course that makes the most sense. There should be a sense of urgency. Economic development, steered by a professional, is crucial to the future well-being of this community.
A look at half-full business parks, empty downtown storefronts and a main street occupied increasingly by professionals rather than retail businesses is the proof: Powell is in dire need of a person to fill a full-time economic-development role.
For years, this community relied on Dave Reetz to fill that need — in a position bankrolled by a private business, First National Bank and Trust. But with Reetz's retirement and the acquisition of First National by an out-of-state corporation, that luxury has come to an end. The necessity, however, has not.
A professional who will actively identify needs, recruit businesses and facilitate overall growth won't come cheap, but this community can't afford to go without. Those things simply don't happen by themselves.
A partnership, led by the city, is one viable solution to funding the position. Other answers certainly exist. The time is now for local business leaders to put their heads together and plot the course that makes the most sense.
There should be a sense of urgency.
Economic development, steered by a professional, is crucial to the future well-being of this community.
