Economic development is what the Port of Edmonds is all about

Published 5:06 pm Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Many people visualize ports in the conventional sense, with images of ships and cargo and trade and transportation.

That’s very true, of course. But ports are also important drivers of economic development.

Indeed, economic development is the reason why ports were created by the Port District Act of 1911. The question for a lot of people in the community is, What does that mean?

Economic development is a concept with many meanings and interpretations. Sometimes it means business and jobs for our community. It also means healthy growth and quality of life. Economic development can also be just a fancy term for talking about the future.

Economic development is the essential engine that drives the local economy and just about everything that contributes to maintaining the community we value and share.

It comprises all the activities that attract new businesses and help existing ones to grow and prosper. The natural by-product of this is more people employed and spending money, which, in turn, helps businesses grow and prosper even more.

It is a continuous cycle. The dollars and effort that go into economic development have an enormous payback that benefits each of us.

Last month I was honored to lead a seminar by and for members of the Washington Public Ports Association, of which the Port of Edmonds is a longtime member. It was titled “Innovative Economy.”

By that is meant economic development that is meaningful, measurable and — not surprisingly — innovative. Some people call it thinking outside the box. This particular conference had a focus on technology — how to identify it, encourage it and attract it to your community. It also stressed the many benefits of creating partnerships between public entities, private business and education.

Ports in general were created for economic development, a concept that is easy to see with big cargo ports like Seattle. But it is just as true for small inland ports, such as those in Eastern Washington farming communities. And it is also very true right here in Edmonds.

As a resident you have much to gain from the economic development activities of the Port of Edmonds. As you can see from our leadership of the “Innovative Economy” conference, we do all we can to enhance the economic activity throughout the state and region. After all, the general well-being of the state benefits us all with more jobs, a higher level of prosperity and, by extension, a larger tax base.

Locally, the Port is a longtime leader in creating a positive climate for business. The number and quality of businesses on Port property has been a source of pride for decades.

Today, with our acquisition of all but two of the buildings in Harbor Square, the opportunity for economic expansion is greater than ever. We are able to accommodate service and retail businesses, clean manufacturing and, of course, high-tech firms of all kinds. Harbor Square is particularly well suited as an incubator for small and start-up businesses, which is a key part of what economic development is about.

As you look to the future, recognize that a quality tomorrow depends on progress, and that progress in turn depends on economic development. By that standard, we in Edmonds have every reason to be confident of our future.