County’s economic development director afloat in choppy waters

Traill County commissioners this week had an inkling they could somehow discharge their economic development director.
The inference was: They would explore the waters, most certainly.
With depth charges manned and ready, the county’s commissioned frigate sank quicker than a deflated inner tube Tuesday morning when the county commission met with the Traill County Economic Development board.
Sure, arguments were made, points raised, issues noted.
Meanwhile, director Rick Forsgren still has his job.
Not that it was in jeopardy; his ranking with his own Traill County Economic Development board is sound; his quarters ship-shape; sailing strategy true to course.
Not that some redirection isn’t called for, in our opinion. But who are we to suggest a change? What do we know from economic development? The waters are rife with sunken vessels and drowned dreams, we know that.
That said, name one rural economic development office that isn’t scrutinized, criticized and disclaimed at some point. Few are successful, many are just keeping their heads above water, at best. But even those, it is with a sinking feeling that doors to their offices are opened every day. Success stories are told with a sidelong glance at the skeptics. A Mom and Pop shop is kept alive, a small town entrepreneur is given a new lease on life. Good news for those involved, no doubt.
But does it mean industry smokestacks will rise over your town? Will hundreds of good-paying jobs result?
Sorry, no.
Is it realistic to think anything more than a call center will ever be brought to your town?
Probably not.
But you should keep trying.
Can’t catch a fish if you don’t have a line in the water, like they say.
The question that must be asked is two-fold: How much can you afford to invest in economic development? The person searching for your ship to come in, should he or she be working full- or part-time?
Good questions, both.
Traill County’s EDC director is paid a handsome salary, one that warrants results.
We would like to think Traill County — Hillsboro, in particular — is in an enviable position. We’re between two city centers, we’re on a major railroad line that parallels an interstate highway, and we have ag land in our backyard that is unrivaled in crop production.
Pilots, meanwhile, often take the high way to Hillsboro’s regional airport.
Lastly, and this is key, we’re as highly wired in the world of technology as any rural area in the country.
Plug that into your business plan and smoke it.
We must keep in mind that the TCEDC director works for the county first, its individual cities second.
Still, our town should be the radar screen of new and expanding businesses that would rather locate in a rural setting than the metros’ Grand Forks and Fargo.
Frankly, we, too, are disappointed more new and expanding businesses haven’t discovered Hillsboro and Traill County.
But we’re not ready yet to suggest at change at the helm.
But we wish we were traversing in a more crowded harbor.
Marginal economic development directors are dime a dozen, the good ones are few and far between.
In Rick Forsgren, Traill County has an individual with roots in the heart of the valley.
That should work in our favor.
In the meantime, the commissioners are not out of line in demanding more results.
But the TCEDC director should be told, in plain and simple terms, what is expected of his office.
Think blue sky, 500 new jobs by 2010.