Blaine County has too many economic development corporations fighting over the same funding, a recently released study concludes.
The main focus of the study, commissioned by a local nonprofit organization and conducted by California-based consulting firm Claggett Wolfe Associates, was whether an incubator to help encourage small business start-ups could work in Blaine County. But in determining the feasibility of such an organization, the report shed light on other aspects of Blaine County's current economic status.
The report acknowledges efforts of existing economic development organizations—including Sustain Blaine, the Ketchum Community Development Corp. and the Wood River Economic Partnership—but determined that the abundance of like-minded organizations is more hindrance than help.
"These existing initiatives could present a competitive environment ... stretching resources amongst too many programs," the report reads. "The community and business leaders [need to] reach a consensus on a common vision."
Jima Rice is president of Jigsaw, Inc., a local nonprofit that currently serves as a business incubator and the organization that commissioned the study. She said disparate economic development efforts in the area have done little to boost the economy.
"There's no coordination among them," Rice said. "Best-case scenario, there would be a countywide economic development group that coordinates the efforts of Jigsaw and the CDC."
Sustain Blaine, a countywide economic development group, is cited by the report as an organization that could oversee a comprehensive plan for development in the valley. Sustain Blaine spokeswoman Diana Takvam said that type of coordination is one of the main goals of the organization.
The report also suggests that a virtual program for business support could serve as part of a larger plan. The effort could be headed by Jigsaw, the study said, but expansion of Jigsaw into a larger business incubator would not be successful.
Jigsaw will hold public meetings on Sept. 21, 23 and 28 from 4-6 p.m. at The Hatchery at Sixth Street and Leadville Avenue in Ketchum to discuss the future of economic development in Blaine County.
However, Rice said she is unsure about the future of Jigsaw following this study.
"I'm pondering that," she said.
Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com
