The Cowlitz Economic Development Council rolled out its newly-developed Strategic Plan yesterday, marking a dramatic shift in the focus of the agency. Developed by TIP Strategies of Austin, Texas, the plan recommends a move away from trying to attract large, heavy-industry projects, focusing instead on smaller projects, light industry, and more diverse types of business. CEDC Executive Director Ted Sprague says that the plan is a chance to examine the possibilities for the future. Jon Roberts with TIP Strategies says that the area needs to take a more “nuanced and flexible” approach to economic development. He notes that this region’s reliance on heavy industry is a detriment, because those segments of the economy lose jobs first in bad times, and they take the longest time in coming back. Roberts say that the area’s economic vitality depends on talent, innovation and improving the “quality of place” in the local region. He does say that Cowlitz County has some natural advantages; he predicts that one of the things that will have an immediate impact would be the development of a “Class A” office building with an anchor tenant near I-5, along with some mixed use development around it. He says that complex will act as a magnet to attract other business. He also says more needs to be done to retain and enhance existing businesses, along with developing a better-educated workforce. The full TIP Strategic Plan is available for review on the CEDC website.
