The "old guard" of the Wood River Valley can't see beyond tourism as our economic strength. You hear the mantra time and again at city council meetings, in the news and at cocktail parties, especially in Ketchum.
The Mountain Express is part of the old guard. A July 24 editorial, "Stay Focused," essentially called the results of a recent regional economic development study harmful if pursued. The report, commissioned by Sustain Blaine and funded by all county governments, calls for a multi-pronged approach to economic development, a doable, step-by-step approach by the public and private sectors to achieve a diverse, vital business community. This is a sensible, proven and exciting vision.
The Express instead favors more tourism marketing "to achieve an instant cure-all for the ailing local economy." First, there is no instant cure-all for any significant problem. And how can we instantly cure economic doldrums achieved over two decades? Our major problems derive primarily from years of pursuing a second-home economy that, without negative intent, finally disabled the lively, entrepreneurial base that once was Ketchum. The goal to attract tourists who buy land, build mansions and visit 14 days each year is what has proved harmful to our communities.
Tourism is a good niche to have, of course, but it's 14 percent of our economy. Tourism and other economic investment need not be an either/or choice. It's time we broaden our focus to the other 86 percent of our economy.
Jima Rice
Ketchum
