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in nonrecreation counties,wages in recreation counties are growing more rapidly.Moreover,research shows <br />that rural counties with a higher percentage of federal lands tend to perform better on economic indicators <br />such as per capita income and employment. <br />References:McElmurry,"Proactive and Patient";Mathema,Svajlenka,and Hermann."Revival and <br />Opportunity."Meghan Lawson,"Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes"(Bozeman,MT:Headwaters Economics,2019),available at https:Rheadwaterseconomjes.org_econornic- <br />developmenutrends perfornance/recreation-counties-attract/. <br />Economic development is a critical component that drives economic growth in our economy,creatinghighwagejobsandfacilitatinganimprovedqualityoflife.The business development team at the KittitasCountyChamberofCommercewillworktoattract,and retain jobs for the Kittitas valley.While theworkofeconomicdevelopersoftenfallsundertheradar,creating and sustaining jobs for a region is acriticalcomponenttoasuccessfuleconomyandcommunity. <br />These are the top six reasons why economic development plays a critical role in any region's economy. <br />L Job creation <br />Economic developers provide critical assistance and information to companies that create jobs in oureconomy.We help to connect new-to-market and existing companies with the resources and partners <br />they need to expand,such as Central Washington Worksource (People for People),utilities,and county <br />and city partners. <br />2.Industry diversification <br />A core part of economic development works to diversify the economy,reducing a region's vulnerability <br />to a single industry.While tourism plays an important role in creating jobs in the Kittitas Valley, <br />economic development efforts help to grow industries outside of tourism,including technology, <br />Healthcare,Aviation,Manufacturing,and Business Services. <br />3.Business retention and expansion <br />A large percentage of jobs in the Kittitas economy are created by existing companies that are expandingtheiroperations.Our economic development team executed 300 business retention and expansion visits <br />to local companies just last year to assist with their operational needs. <br />4.Economy fortification <br />Economic development helps to protect the local economy from economie downtorns by attracting and <br />expanding the region's major employers. <br />5.Increased tax revenue <br />The increased presence of companies in the region translates to increased tax revenue for communityprojectsandlocalinfrastructure. <br />6.Improved quality of life <br />Better infrastructure and more jobs improve the economy of the region and raise the standard of livingforitsresidents.