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in nonrecreation countie.s, wages in recreation counties are growing more rapidly. Moreover, research shows that rural counties with a higher percentage of fideral lands tend to perforrn better on economic indicators such as per capita income and employment. References: McElmurry, "Proactive and Patient"; Mathema, Svajlenka" and Hermann, "Revival and Opporhrnity." Meghan Lawson, "Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes" (Bozeman, MT: Headwaters Economics,2019), available at httns:/&eadwatefseconomics.ordeconomic- developme+J/trends nerformance/recreation_-counties-pttracU. Economic development is a sritical component that drives economic growth in our oconomy, creating higlr wage jobs and facilitating an improved quality of life. The business development teamat the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce will work to athact, and retain jobs for the Kittiias valley. While the work of economic developers ofte,n falls under the radar, creating and sustaining jobs for a region is a critical component to a successful economy and community. These are the top six reasons why economic developmentplays a critical role in any region's economy. 1. Job creation Economic developers provide critical assistance and information to companies that create jobs in our economy. We help to connect new-to-market and existing companies with the resources and parfirers they need to expand, such as Central Washington Worksource (People for People), utilities, and county and city paflners. 2. Industry diversificadon A core part of economic development works to diversi$ the economy, reducing a region's wlnerability to a single industry. While tourism plays an important role in creating jobs in the Kittitas Valley, economic developmetrt efforts help to grow industries outside of tourism, including tectrnology, Healthcare, Aviation, Manufacturing, and Business Services. 3. Business retendon and expansion A large percentage ofjobs in the Kittitas economy are created by existing companies that are expanding their operations. Our economic development tearn executed 300 business retention and expansion visitt to looal companies just last year to assist wittr their operational needs. 4. Economy fortification Economic development helps to protect the local esonomy from economic downturns by athacting and expanding the region's major employers. 5. Increased tax revenue The increased presence of companies in the region hanslates to increased tax reve,lrue for community projects and local infrastructure. 6. Tmproved quality of life Better infrastructure and more jobs improve the economy of the regton and raise the standard of living for its resideirts.