Defining ‘economic development’
IN THE CITY
by Kenneth C. Arndt
In recent months, economic development has become the “watchword” for rural Maine, as local leaders struggle to revitalize the rural economies throughout the state.
The perspective of our department is that Presque Isle can safeguard its “Quality of Place,” while at the same time enhancing the region’s economy and creating additional jobs and income to help maintain and enhance the quality of life in rural towns and communities. A difficult and challenging agricultural industry, declining natural resource prices, and national economic trends have all combined to both challenge and stimulate those interested in a strong rural economy here in northern Maine. As the service center community of northern Maine, Presque Isle must continue to take on a leadership role in guiding that rejuvenation of the region’s economy.
Rural leaders, like those in Presque Isle, need to understand the impact that both state and national fiscal issues may have on our city’s local economic development efforts. But of equal importance is the fact that rural leaders need to know what policies and strategies are possible to guide economic development at the local level. Strategic and community planning implies forward thinking and anticipation of the future. Local resources will be utilized and decisions will be made to achieve desired future community goals.
Planning is the process of identifying future goals and proceeding on a course of action to achieve them. Our community has, over the last few years, embarked upon this growth management and goal-setting process. We have a new, state certified growth management plan, we’ve just completed a strategic plan and the city is currently working on an exciting downtown master plan update. We are strongly invested and focused upon planning for the future of our community.
Thoughtful and creative planning will clarify the process of building a strong local foundation for economic development, while maintaining our unique, small, rural community character. There is nothing mystical about developing local planning and fostering a creative economic development strategy. It involves hard work, broad-based communication, creative thought, persistence and cooperation at all levels. To succeed in community planning and economic development efforts, a community like Presque Isle, must know where it wants to go and how it should proceed to get there. A good city comprehensive plan and economic development strategy is simply a written plan or a road map showing how to get there from here.
Businesses are often advised to develop a business plan in order to survive in a constantly changing environment. Those business plans can be used to assist management in assessing potential opportunities and implementing critical decisions. Developing a strategy for local community economic development is very similar and absolutely necessary if communities are to succeed and prosper. Local leaders must be involved in developing the strategy because it cannot be successful without their total support. It is also important that local leaders understand, at the very beginning, that they must make a substantial commitment of their time and effort if the community’s plan hopes to succeed.
Even when times are trying and growth challenges appear around every corner, it is wise that a city, like Presque Isle, focus considerable energy in the arena of planning and development. A famous person, Norman Vincent Peale once said “become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities … always see them for they’re always there.”
If you have any thoughts to share or want the advice and assistance of the city’s planning and development staff on a potential project within our community, please feel free to contact our offices at City Hall.
Kenneth C. Arndt is director of planning and development for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 760-2727 or via e-mail at karndt@presqueisleme.us.
