Take opportunity to diversify economy

The recent public debate about locating an 80,000-seat NASCAR facility in North Marysville reminds me of our campaign to build Naval Station Everett. Similar to today’s opportunity to recruit NASCAR, our community sought the Navy to help diversify our local economy.

Opponents of the Navy, like opponents of NASCAR, felt free to say and do anything to prevent an aircraft carrier battle group from being welcomed here. We all remember being told that Colby Avenue would be filled with “drunken sailors.” Attempts were often made to sow doubts about the economic value of the Navy to our community. Economic forecasts about something that hasn’t happened yet are always difficult.

Now, however, we know precisely how much Naval Station Everett is producing for our community. The Washington State Office of Financial Management just reported Naval Station Everett employs 4, 515 military and civilian personnel with a payroll of $159.1 million. The base administers another $138.1 million in military pensions.

The Navy has helped diversify our economy. We now have a piece of the military spending in Washington state that accounts for a total of 83,000 military and civilian jobs for an annual payroll of $3.7 billion, according to OFM. Imagine if we had let fear, propelling worst case scenarios, rule the day.

Any opportunity for further diversification of our economy is worth pursuing.

Caldie Rogers, president/ceo

Marysville Tulalip

Chamber of Commerce