We keep hearing that things are getting better and will continue to improve. And then we hear that things are getting worse and will continue for a bit longer. Which way should we go? A problem for Alaskans is that there are several tourism reductions coming in 2010. Some of our cruise ships will not be coming, others will have reduced schedules. For those of us in Ketchikan, that will have serious consequences. As a community who is primarily tourism based, it is important that we find a viable means of sustainability so that folks are not forced to move from the island. And the answer must be delivered sooner rather than later. I see a couple of things that can assist in sustaining and perhaps even growing the economy in Ketchikan. One is the opening and maintaining the Small Business Development Center, the other is encouraging people to shop local with every single purchase to keep our local businesses open.  You have heard me say over and over that a Small Business Development Center in the southern southeast hub, Ketchikan, is vital. The process of getting the office open again is a long battle, but one I think valuable, important and worthwhile. Ketchikan will not likely see a large manufacturer of products that employs 500 people. But they could see 50 businesses that provide 10 jobs each. That is what small business does. It is the true economic engine that makes things happen. In 2008, the Small Business Development Center of Alaska serviced over 1,600 clients. SBDC created and RETAINED 11,995 jobs. The capital infusion to the state of Alaska was $8,979,685! Who else gets results like that? Ketchikan needs a branch of the SBDC open and right now. There is no time to waste to help our budding entrepreneurs get going. With our economy riding out of town on the last cruise ship, it is time to rethink who we are and what we are about. And SBDC has the proven track record to make that happen.  Another very simple way of keeping Ketchikan, or any community,  intact is to be certain you are shopping locally. I know it costs more sometimes to do that. I experience that myself. I know you can avoid sales tax by buying a car in Seattle. I know that it is hard to find just the right shoes here. But I also know that my friends and neighbors will be forced to close their businesses if I don’t step up and provide support for them. Isn’t it much better to pay a bit more and have that service or product here year round, than to order it on via the internet and watch your friends get on the ferry to move south due to lack of employment? We must try harder to keep our people working. We must do better about promoting our businesses to the outside world and encourage them to shop with us and buy our products online. We have the best fish in the world and we can ship it anywhere! We have some fabulous native artists, jewelry makers, photographers and storytellers. We need a big sign that says SHOP KETCHIKAN ONLINE. But most importantly, we should remember to take care of each other. The next purchase you make, consider if you can buy it in Ketchikan or SE Alaska. And do just that. The ripple effect of shopping at home can make the difference in our survival. Crucial for Ketchikan, crucial for Southeast Alaska, crucial for our 50 year old state.    NEW FEATURE!! We have now enabled our blog to allow comments. I am so excited to hear what you have to say and hope that you will follow some simple rules of engagement. Be polite. We don’t need foul language or rude remarks to make the point. Be mindful of what you write. It lives on the internet forever. Mostly, if you remember what you learned in Kindergarten “Play Nice” things will go along swell. If you don’t play nice, we’ll have you blocked forever. Which we don’t really want to do…. Don’t make me stop this car…. Remember that remark from your folks?   Safe Journeys ~ Renee