The Coos County Commission have assembled an industrial acquisition team to implement an system where the county acquires federal industrial surplus equipment at very low cost and leases the equipment to local businesses. Local business that might otherwise be unable to afford new equipment like lathes, or earth movers, or bucket trucks, tug boats, vehicles or even computers can obtain these items for cost of shipping and transport fees in exchange for hiring workers to use the equipment.
Details are being worked out by the team but Commissioner Parry says this is a “grassroots economic development” effort. Unlike typical econ-dev schemes, this is a low cost effort with little risk and potentially high rewards. Governor Kitzhaber claims that one job on the South Coast has the same benefit to the Oregon economy as five hundred jobs in Portland.
If a local machine shop can produce larger components or meet a faster volume demand it may open up its market potential and provide needed local jobs. This is a worthy local economic development effort and is not dependent upon state and federal permits, foreign investors and regulatory restrictions and does not intrude on oyster beds, private property rights and has no direct impact on the environment. This is a very cool way to stimulate the local economy and allows the private sector to create its own jobs.
Bravo!
Sounds good to this many year industrial development person. From what you have written here and have written before, it appears that Mr. Parry considers himself to be an industrial development leader – perhaps an expert in the subject matter. Great!! Since overpaid SCDC, FONSI, and about ten other local organizations – some taking taxpayer money – who claim to be doing whatever is required to create jobs have failed to do, perhaps he will go a step further with the lathes, computers, etc. and contact global aerospace corporations throughout the US who are doing business with the US govenment. Most are contractually obligated to develop small business – and many are failing to achieve contractual obligations. Boeing, the closest geographically, is actively seeking small established business to be mentored. As a company owner in the global market place, you are probably aware that there is financial incentive to mentor small business. The Boeing mentor program is one of the best. I recall it’s described at the Boeing web site. I am certain that Mr. Parry, if he is up to his ass in alligators conducting the business of the county does not have time to make contact. Perhaps someone on the county “industrial acquisition team” – whoever they are – hopefully not the same retread professional politicians that have made and not kept promises for so many years – can do so. Many doors must be knocked upon until you get to the correct people – or employ someone who has done this before and knows te correct door. The most desired locals would be a small business led by a female or by native americans.