HomeMy WebLinkAbout4_23_2026 ICG meeting public commentALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear IGC members,
Your agenda states you will be discussing your ICG economic developmental framework at this Thursday's session. Thanks for this focus on the future health of our local economy!
As long term participants in LION, my husband and I have had the good fortune to invest in numerous small businesses in our country. For those of you who have not had much contact with
LION, we are a network of 99 local investors who, since 2008, have invested at least 13.8 million dollars in 132 East Jefferson County businesses, non-profits, and affordable workforce
housing entities. Most of the LION recipients were unbankable at the time of their application. Please refer to Profiles of Local Investing by LION Members <https://irp.cdn-website.com/46e552d2/fil
es/uploaded/2025_LION_Survey_Findings.pdf> for more details on this remarkable network.
The loans my husband and I have sponsored have ranged from farms to fishing, from non-profits to manufacturing. We are learning so much about the challenges and benefits of doing business
on the peninsula from these courageous businesses. A consistent message from every small business that has mentioned the EDC has been how valuable that help has been. Many said they
either "wouldn't have made it" or that their business has gained immeasurably due to the training and consultation of the EDC. It is a joy to see young entrepreneurs who are growing
and learning new skills, and providing local jobs, while contributing to the overall economic health of our county.
Why do they feel this way? The EDC provides one-on-one business advice to vet and strengthen small business concepts so that entrepreneurs can create a viable business plan and avoid
costly missteps. The EDC has also provided invaluable administrative support for processing Business Opportunities submitted to LION by local businesses seeking financing. I joined
the EDC as a retired member of our community simply because I want to support and strengthen our small businesses.
After reading the recent PDN article describing how the Port is considering leaving the EDC I grew very concerned. I have so many questions.
What would be the impact of this loss of funding? Who else will do this important work? Who else has a focus on the breadth of emerging small businesses in our community? Who else can
provide one-on-one advice, business classes, and access to information?
I only found out about this issue and ICG session from the PDN article. What is the proper way to include the public in this discussion so all those impacted can talk about the impacts
to them and their business?
In a time of increasing economic uncertainty nationally and internationally our local businesses need to know they can influence decisions about economic development that are made locally.
They need to feel seen and heard. So do those of us who are investing our personal resources to support them. Please take the time to have this conversation with all of us.
Thanks for all you do in your respective roles.
Gratefully,
Carla Main and Brad West