Regional interdependence brings opportunity for innovation

It’s been said that with great struggle comes great opportunity.

According to Public Management, our current economic strategists are following this “glass half-full” anthem, and creating new approaches to overcome the lack of industrial expansion that has threatened each citizen’s livelihood in the past few years. Innovative new pathways, including talent development and utilization, are promoting growth and opportunity.

“What had been an almost exclusive focus on marketing and industrial recruitment is being augmented by approaches that emphasize homegrown sources of economic activity—efforts that develop entrepreneurial skills, creativity and talent, and promote innovation,” Public Management wrote.

Economic emphasis is now being reorganized to focus on the development of trades and skills that will contribute to the health of each region. This, in turn, will create employment opportunities for those looking to try their hand at a new, highly-specialized occupation.

Additionally, continued globalization is furthering the process of state, local, and regional interdependence. Reliance upon one another is becoming vital to survival and good for business. A high-level of community knowledge and skills ensures a healthy, thriving and stable economy that can equally support economic expansion of the others.

Boat builders in Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Wash. are a great example of the partnership potential. The region’s consortium of welded-aluminum jet boat manufacturers has formed the Snake River Boat Builders Export Program to develop viable foreign markets.

Regional performance, according to Public Management, is no longer based solely on company recruitment and populated commercial buildings. Under the “half-full” methodology, communities that collectively embrace varying skill sets and innovative occupational possibilities have a lot clearer outlook.

Nurturing industry clusters beneficial to business

A supportive business environment is crucial to success, especially when it includes a group of like companies willing to set aside competition for the benefit of local industry. Manufacturers, as an example, benefit from clustering in an area. Grouping in a close proximity creates a critical mass and economies of scale that draw suppliers and bolster a workforce. Benefits include improved cost and quality controls.

It can also lead to leveraged marketing opportunities, as is the case in the northern Idaho and eastern Washington communities that share the Snake River and a growing boat building industry as a common link.

Six welded-aluminum jet boat manufacturers from Lewiston and Orofino, Idaho and Clarkston, Wash. have formed a joint marketing effort under the umbrella of the Snake River Boat Builders Export Program. The idea is to use their collective resources to draw global attention to their capabilities and products and develop viable foreign markets. And, of course, drive sales.

The group recently participated in the 42nd boot Dusseldorf, dubbed the “world’s biggest water sports show.” The show provided hands-on training for the boat manufacturers, contacts with potential buyers, a chance to see new ideas and technologies, and global industry perspective.

It was the return engagement to a European trade mission delegation that visited the Snake River Boat Builders last year. The group toured factories, tested boats and became the focus of the first annual Snake River Boat Expo.