Ritzville and Economic Development

When we think about economic development many of us have different ideas: Some of these ideas are sound with good merit, some are extravagant but may be worth consideration, some are expensive, and some may take a lot of volunteer effort…… but lets look at some simple things that we can do to help our businesses and our local economy.

1) First we all need to be good ambassadors to our town; When we are out and about we should all try to temper our comments to promote the good points of our town. When we are frustrated with each other we should try to find common ground. I am not saying we cannot disagree, a good debate is fine, but we should try to keep these disagreements civil.

2) Second, when we find ideas that we “kind of” like but do not have the time, energy, or money to devote to the cause; at least give “moral” support. Moral support can go a long way even if we cannot do the physical lifting for the project or idea. None of us like to be alone, having the knowledge that others agree with us is a tremendous boost and may mean the difference between a success and a failure.

3) I once worked for a very successful farmer, he always told me; “If you are working things will break, if nothing breaks then likely nothing is getting done either”. I have carried this with me all my life, and this can give us insights into our town. Not all ideas or projects will be successful, they may “break”; Limited success or even failures will happen. I have broken a lot of cultivators tools, but I also have cultivated a lot of corn. In the end the corn was harvested. I call that a success, not a failure.

4) Try to support your friends, neighbors, and local businesses even if it does not benefit yourself or your ideas/projects. Co-operation is important. Again, moral support can go a long way.

Try to guide your projects, business, or ideas, so that they can help others, even if it is in a small way. Remember others ideas may draw people to our town, this increase will help you in ways you may not have thought about. A bunch of small gains will add up to larger benefits for us all.

5) What can all of us do to help our town and businesses right today? Sometimes the small things count; an example is; if all of us just bought our socks at one of the businesses here in town, that alone would almost pay for another employee at that business. We all need socks and our town needs that business. “Well they do not have the socks I buy” then ask them to bring in what you want. Be patient, it is harder to do than most of us think, but I suspect the retailer will try to accommodate you (and please do not be upset if they cannot). If they are able to help you then be sure to buy that product regularly, and encourage your friends to do the same. This example can be carried to many

products/services without busting any ones budget. Increased patronage of our businesses pays dividends to our community; in lower taxes (More sales tax from businesses), increased maintenance to our commercial sector; increased donations to your favorite cause; increased employment; and increased business startups. The list goes on.

The level of cooperation in our town and the county is at a high. We should do everything we can to keep this trend up. Supporting each other, our local businesses, and being a good ambassador, will help Ritzville.

What is good for Ritzville’s economy is good for all of us that live, work, raise children, and pay taxes here.

Dennis R. Chamberlain, Ritzville