Growth issues to be focus

New task force

to mull economic development

December 27, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - The Mat-Su Borough hired an economic development director earlier this month and, days later, approved the establishment of a task force to make recommendations to the assembly regarding the course of action the newly created department should take.

The rapid growth in the borough has brought with it a need to create new employment and business opportunities.

Mayor Tim Anderson hopes the establishment of an economic development corporation will assist in identifying such opportunities.

Approved by the assembly, the mayor's task force will work to provide the information needed to address the growing economic issues facing the borough.

Not all the members of the assembly agreed with the need to create a special task force. Bill Allen, who represents District 2, questioned whether the borough should be involved in starting such a group.

&#8220We've been talking about economic development since I've been on the assembly and I am happy to finally see us moving forward with the establishment of a director's position,” Allen said. &#8220But I am not sure that establishing a task force to establish an economic development corporation is our duty as the assembly. It should be generated by the business community.”

Allen went on to point out that there are two other economic development corporations in the state (in Anchorage and Fairbanks) and that both had their genesis in the business community.

&#8220This is important to the future of the Valley and it shouldn't be something established from the government down,” Allen said. &#8220Instead, it should come from the business people and organizations up.”

&#8220The mayor and I agree on the need for having direction for our economic developer,” Allen said, &#8220but I disagree with the how we go about accomplishing it.”

Allen was joined in objecting to the task force by assembly members Lynne Woods, District 1, and Talis Colberg, District 3.

On the other side of the debate, Anderson pointed to the importance of the task force in the establishment of the direction for the economic development department.

&#8220We need to provide direction for our new economic developer,” Anderson said. &#8220We have no idea as to what direction the office should take in fulfilling its duties and the task force will provide a road map for the future.”

Assembly member Jim Colver said this is a policy issue. &#8220And that is our role as the assembly,” he said. &#8220We need to conduct business in a sophisticated manner and put some policy in place before we get too far down the road with the new position.”

Allen attempted to postpone the action until the new economic development director, David Hanson, had some time to settle into his new $92,384-a-year position, but could not garner enough support. Following the failed attempt, the assembly approved the resolution and the establishment of the task force.

The task force will be comprised of 11 members, predominantly from the private sector. According to borough code, members shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly.

Anderson is expected to have a preliminary list of members prepared for consideration by the end of January.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@ frontiersman.com.