Think global, act local
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
2 of 3 free articles.
The world changes, whether we like it or not. Polson can’t exempt itself from the global economy. We don’t produce much here, and many of the dollars we bring in come from a highly seasonal tourist economy. Tourism jobs, while an important part of the mix, rarely pay a living wage. Nothing government or anyone else can do will fill the empty buildings on our Main Street. We have to accept some truths about the economy. The Internet is not going away. You can buy anything, from anywhere at any time. If I shop local, which I do, it’s because I want to have a local experience, support those who support the community or get some fresh air. This means as a local retailer, you probably have to be outstanding at marketing, sales and customer service. You need to have a business model that sets you apart from all the other retail options I, as a consumer, have. The reality is that retail is a follow on business. You have retail when people have money to spend. And if you want to grow a business, you have to attract more than just the money that circulates within the community. (Primary sector businesses: those that sell more than 50 percent of their goods and services outside of your local trade area.) It needs to come from outside the community. A great example is CORE, which makes something here of value that is sold other places. It brings new money in that is paid out in wages, which can be spent, or better yet, invested. Polson must look below the surface of what Main Street looks like to ask what are we creating, making, growing, inventing or servicing outside of our small town. Main Street is a result, not a driver.
If we stood back and defined our town in the global world there would be many pluses: beautiful place, extraordinary physical assets, and diversity. Do we work to preserve and capitalize on these? The low-hanging fruit for creating jobs is gone for the foreseeable future: do we need more $500,000 homes? Do we need another bank, gas station or grocery store here? We need entrepreneurs and citizens who can innovate, making goods and providing services that make lives better. Doing nothing, bashing government, fighting on school boards, personal attacks at public meetings, and railing against change only ensures that we will continue to struggle to survive and most likely will continue to slide downward on measures of wellbeing. The Salish Kootenai Tribes have built the most robust businesses in our community by embracing technology and demonstrating that they can compete on a global scale in providing goods and services and bringing in millions of dollars to this community. Over my time here, I have come to respect not only the S&K family of businesses but the tribes’ commitment to education, as evidenced by Salish Kootenai College.
Education, civil public engagement, a global view and values will drive a robust future here. Think global, act local. It’s still true.
(Editor’s note: Liz Marchi is a Polson businesswoman.)
