Rural areas plot course of economy

"Companies do not take care of communities anymore.

It is communities that take care of companies."

That's the message Angelos Angelou, principal of AngelouEconomics, drove home at the kick-off to creation of an expansive economic development plan for seven rural counties in northern Nevada.

The consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, will begin an extensive survey of businesses in Carson City and Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, and Storey counties.

"If we can diagnose the challenges you are facing, I can guarantee our solutions will be perfect," said Angelou.

The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada in December enlisted AngelouEconomics for a study of the economic future ofWashoe County.

The results of the two studies ultimately will be merged.

The newest study was commissioned by the Northern Nevada Development Authority, together with Western Nevada Development District, and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

Angelou was the economic development director of Austin, Texas, for 10 years before starting AngelouEconomics,which,with a staff of 15, has provided blueprints to 90 cities.

However, he stressed,"We're not in the cookiecutter business.We don't believe one size fits all." He said the seven rural counties appear to starting from a position of strength rather than economic desperation as they begin planning their futures.

Still, he cautioned,"You've left it to others to define your future.You've let the high cost of living in California determine your future."

The effects of economic planning ripple throughout the entire fabric of a region, he said.

"People choose their city first, the place where they want to live, and choose their job after,"Angelou said."Think: what kind of people do you want to have living in your community? Economic development will determine who you attract." As the study builds steam, community outreach will be conducted until February.Miya MacKenzie of MacWest Marketing will send press releases to rural newspapers and get the word out to communities.

Small focus groups will meet with business, industry and government leaders as well as with private citizens throughout the seven rural counties.

"We want a true cross section, from greens to developers," says Ron Weisinger, executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority.

(Two online surveys one for residents and one for employers are posted at www.northernNVision.org.) A database of county assets will be built by March and AngelouEconomics expects to present its summary of residents' vision in May.

Finally, a strategic action plan that shows to make that vision happen will be unveiled in July.

"NNDA and WNDD will identify champions to implement the final recommendations," says Angelou.