This Topic: Quality of Life as an Economic Development Generator

[Geoff Tapert]

Freeland currently has the bulk of financial institutions on the south end, as well as one great grocery store and a few other amenities. Through the proposed development regulations, I believe we should focus on the issue of quality of life to help attract new business. As we improve walkability, the pedestrian experience (street trees, feeling safe), and the opportunities to conduct several errands on foot instead of multiple vehicle trips, I believe our community will become more attractive for new businesses.

As people can spend more time in the business zones, moving from dinner, to a movie, to a gallery, we increase the amount of money spent within that zone. Currently the trend is to zip in and zip out.

[leanne finlay]

Here are some stats, that might help you decide to spend more of your dollars on Whidbey Island, instead of online or on-mainland.

* For every $100 spent in locally owned independent businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.

* Spend that $100 online, and only pennies (from sales tax) comes home (unless of course you're shopping online with a Whidbey business!).

* Whether it be $68 or $43, keeping those $$$ on Whidbey is important.

* Re: National chains - Please do not think that national chains or big box stores don't have value. They wouldn't exist if they did not. When you need to shop at a national chain, please try to find one on Whidbey Island to support, and keep that $43 at home. Supporting a business in Oak Harbor does more for this island than supporting a business in Everett or elsewhere.

* When discussions point to not wanting national chains or big box stores in Freeland, keep in mind that if we do not allow for the mix of services and products that consumers truly want, they will take their shopping dollars off island, helping to build economic strength somewhere else.

* Decisions to "not allow" are decisions that deliberately "send away" local spending dollars, whether it be dollars that buy retail items, or dollars that buy created or manufactured products, or dollars that buy services such as banking, insurance, consulting, construction, designing, medical and more.

* Clear, and reasonable, design standards are the key to creating an appealing 'look and feel'.

[Ellen Dickey]

Hear, hear, Geoff!

You are so right! Thank you for expressing my thoughts exactly.