Shenandoah needs a new economic development plan

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By Carolyn Long

The time is right for Shenandoah County to create a new economic development plan. As county officials update the excellent 2005 Comprehensive Plan -- after achieving a major goal with the passage of the Rural Areas Plan last year -- it makes sense to think just as strategically about Shenandoah County's economic future.

We encourage the new economic development steering committee to approach this task with the inclusiveness found in the vision statement in the Comprehensive Plan, which states:

"In 2025, Shenandoah County will still be a primarily rural community that ... provides a variety of jobs in business, light industry, tourism and sustainable agriculture."

Just as our land-use plan seeks to promote healthy rural areas and historic towns, our economic development plan should offer clear goals to strengthen appropriate economic activities in both our rural and developed areas. Our new plan must include the agricultural and tourism sectors, as well as technology, manufacturing, service and other areas.

Traditionally, these sectors are kept separate. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership handles everything except agricultural and tourism, which are shunted off to other agencies. Shenandoah County's unique vision for the future demands a more innovative, comprehensive approach.

We also encourage the Economic Development Committee to expand its assessment to include interviews with existing businesses in all sectors.

Five years ago, Shenandoah Forum brought Nelson County's economic development director, Maureen Corum, to Woodstock for a talk.

Corum described spending six months interviewing Nelson County's top 50 local employers, including orchard and vineyard owners. "It was time-consuming, painful, but really helpful," she said, in understanding the needs of these employers and identifying complementary businesses for recruitment, like vendors and suppliers.

Finally, we encourage the Economic Development Committee to focus on opportunities for current county residents, particularly the underemployed, underskilled and/or those in deeply depressed sectors, like construction. The economic assessment should identify what training or recruitment is needed to help these residents find reliable employment.
Including the agricultural sector in this planning could help. The Virginia Employment Commission's most recent quarterly census provides average weekly wages in the county by sector. Farm and forestry workers average $732 per week, compared to manufacturing at $704, construction at $592 and retail sales at $420.

Shenandoah County continues to demonstrate a unique vision as it plans for future.

Shenandoah Forum's directors and members look forward to working with the Economic Development Committee on a new strategic plan that reflects that vision.

Long is chairwoman of the Shenandoah Forum, a nonprofit group that fosters informed dialogue on issues of growth and development in the county.