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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > February > 11 > Entry
Guest column: Greene County benefits from efforts of coalition
This commentary was written by Greene County Commissioner Rick Perales.
I agree with the spirit of the Jan. 29 editorial, “Greene County snubs its best advocate.”
Greene County needs to continue to support the regional collaboration that the Dayton Development Coalition brings to the Miami Valley. This is precisely why I voted against the Greene County 2010 budget.
My fellow commissioners and I agree on the vast majority of issues and budget expenditures. However, we respectfully disagree regarding financial support for the development coalition.
The future of the region requires that we all pull together. I believe Greene County needs to collaborate and participate in a regional economic development strategy to create jobs and recruit businesses. It is our best opportunity for sustained prosperity.
As the leader of that regional strategy, the development coalition is the right place for such an investment.
True, Greene County faces a difficult budget year, and we have painful choices to make. However, we cannot get ourselves out of this downturn by cutting investment. Greene County needs to maintain critical spending for sustained, future job growth or we will be faced with even more economic uncertainty.
Growing jobs means growing prosperity and is a core function of county government. The development coalition has a demonstrated record of success.
With it taking the lead, our region put its best foot forward, contributing greatly to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) gains at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which Greene County and the rest of the region are just beginning to realize.
In the next two years, more than 1,000 government jobs will transfer here, with thousands more private-sector jobs expected. But that’s the tip of the iceberg.
With the numerous and diverse missions at WPAFB — research and development, acquisition, intelligence, the Air Force Institute of Technology, international assistance — there is a great opportunity for our region to capture much more of the contract-support funding associated with the base. The development coalition is especially qualified to act as the region’s intermediary, aligning industry, small businesses and academics to support the missions.
Because the base is located primarily in Greene County, it is likely to be a major beneficiary of this economic impact.
Cities and counties invest in the development coalition for many reasons. Some believe in the value of being part of a regional movement. Others do so because they value the opportunity to partner with international initiatives for business recruitment.
For Greene County, the principal benefit is its efforts with WPAFB and the jobs that are created as a result. Supporting the development coalition is an investment and the right thing for Greene County.
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Comments
By Ricardo
February 11, 2010 6:19 PM | Link to this
The Greene County Commissioner is correct - the economic development (aka jobs) of our area depends upon cooperation of all the contiguous counties (Clark, Greene, Montgomery, Miami & Preble).
By JL
February 12, 2010 12:18 AM | Link to this
Commissioner, you are all too correct. The region depends on the cooperation of organizations like the Dayton Development Coalition.
By Doug
February 12, 2010 9:36 AM | Link to this
What specifically has the DDC done to bring NEW jobs to the region? Transferring jobs from one part of the Miami Valley to another doesn’t count.
By Greg Hunter
February 12, 2010 9:57 AM | Link to this
While Mr. Perales can get political cover with this editorial it still does not cover the fact that Greene County has already received maximum benefit from the DDC and it shrewdly cut its commitment when other areas of the Region were going to be in focus. It is war and always will be, but some people are not playing that way and some are.
By It's Great in Dayton!!!
February 14, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
A coalition with Raleigh benefits everybody….but especially Raleigh! He’s the Gem City’s crowning jewel!! The leadership Dayton deserves. RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! Paid for by The Committee to Elect Raleigh Trammell. Raleigh Trammell, Treasurer.
By It's Great in Dayton!!!
February 14, 2010 9:12 AM | Link to this
A coalition with Raleigh benefits everybody….but especially Raleigh! He’s the Gem City’s crowning jewel!! The leadership Dayton deserves. RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! RALEIGH TRAMMELL FOR MAYOR!!! Paid for by The Committee to Elect Raleigh Trammell. Raleigh Trammell, Treasurer.