Report slams economic strategy

County's focus should be on new business, not on tourism
By Dave Moller, davem@theunion.com» More from Dave Moller12:01 a.m. PT Dec 19, 2007

Nevada County economic groups need to work together and attract new businesses instead of concentrating on the status quo and tourism, according to a new report that was critical of existing efforts.

The county should target higher-paying businesses such as information services, which has "significant" growth potential, along with professional services and health care, the study said. Tourism should not be a target because the lower wages will not improve the county's standard of living, it said.

"You need to focus on business attraction, and you really haven't done much," said Libby Seifel, author of the 73-page report to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that was ordered last year.

The report's proposed strategies are almost the exact opposite of what is occurring now: The current mission of the county's Economic Resource Council has been to retain, not attract, new businesses. The mission of the area's chambers of commerce has been to attract visitors, not businesses.

The county needs to sharply increase funding to attract new businesses, the report said. It pointed out, however, that money could be redirected from the tourism budget. It also suggested tapping the private sector. More here.