It’s no secret that I’m a past president of the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce and have a strong fondness for its mission, its people and its ability to make things happen. But when I read the quotes by members of the Economic Development Commission last week as well as the draft Economic Development Element they had prepared for inclusion in the North Bend Comprehensive Plan, one question came to mind: where is a partnership with the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce?

The chamber has been tackling all of the issues outlined in the draft plan for years, yet the chamber was only mentioned three times throughout the document. It would seem a natural thing to involve the chamber to a higher level than mentioned since most of the chamber’s members are in business in the Snoqualmie Valley and have dealt with many of the issues and ideas presented.

Let’s take tourism as one aspect of economic development. Low and behold the pages of the draft plan realize that tourism is a great thing. Economic Development Commission Chairman Terril Perrine even goes so far as to describe tourists as spending their money here, then leaving. That’s not a new idea, Mr. Perrine. In fact, that same idea has been pondered by many a chamber member and several ideas have come forth and been implemented to capture those tourist dollars. Where was the North Bend EDC when those ideas, involving volunteer efforts by chamber members, were implemented? Maybe you want an example. How about the fence near the intersection of Snoqualmie Ridge Parkway and State Route 202 that will soon house a steam engine. This project, initiated by the chamber through cooperation with the city of Snoqualmie and the Northwest Railway Museum, will bring tourists into downtown Snoqualmie. It was funded by the chamber as a way of promoting tourism.

The chamber paid for the move, remodel and staffing of the Visitor’s Information Center in North Bend. Yes, with some monetary help from the city for wages, but I didn’t see anyone from the EDC offering to help get the new building ready for the season.

Next let’s talk about jobs.

A solid economic base needs livable wage jobs. If we were to give the city of North Bend a grade in this area, it would be below average. Granted, a water moratorium has limited growth in industrial and commercial sectors, but let’s not pin all of our future prosperity on growing retail jobs. Yes it helps, but wouldn’t it be great to offer a balance of working, living and recreating all within the community?

Will the North Bend City Council heed the advice given by anyone touting economic development including their own committee? One of the primary goals listed is to encourage development of business and industry through streamlined regulatory processing and incentives. The council’s past track record with the Tift Haus and sitting on a hearing to discuss the boundary changes for 60 days speaks volumes about streamlining.

But here is the key to success. Goal No. 6 in the plan hits it on the head. Encourage the retention and growth of existing local businesses and industries. In the newspaper business we learn that advertisers are a somewhat consistent set of businesses. Yes, they come and go, but we tend to deal with 70-80 percent of the Valley businesses at some time or another so we value our relationships with those advertisers. North Bend needs to go a long way toward developing relationships with businesses from the staff level to the council and all points in between. Cherish those that are already contributing to the tax base of North Bend like you would a favorite uncle or aunt. They don’t have to be sold on the community, they just want some respect and responsiveness.

I urge the North Bend EDC, as well as the council, to really foster some relationships with the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce. Why reinvent the wheel when there are many who have been down this path before and have the expertise and willingness to get involved? But to only mention the chamber three times in your draft report really is an insult to those who have lived economic development through their local businesses.