BY KEVIN HOLSAPPLE
Los Alamos

I watched the video of the June 17 Los Alamos County Council work session item “Presentation on Council Strategic Goal: Economic Vitality and Quarterly Economic Development Update,” and it leaves me with even less confidence in our County’s approach to this important topic. I do not doubt that the people involved are good, well-meaning people who want to do their best, but I have no confidence from the presentation and discussion that our County is on the right track with respect to economic development.  No measurable improvements in the local business environment were reported, and there do not seem to be any useful metrics pertaining to our key challenges.  Some of the activities being reported on do not even seem to be related to economic development. Few questions were asked, and there was no discussion of the public input that was offered.  With the exception of one Councilor, no concerns were raised about the adequacy of what was reported, and there was no discussion of the concerns she raised – in fact, there was little discussion at all.

Meantime, according to the County’s “Open Books” portal, it appears that more than $13.7 million was budgeted for economic development in the current year – that doesn’t even reflect the cost of indirect supporting activities. Effective deployment of the budget was not discussed.

 As a citizen with time and experience to offer, I made the decision seven months ago to get involved with the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition and to join the County’s Lodger Tax Board to try to help make a difference in improving the local business environment and in understanding and improving benefits to the community from visitors and tourists. I have spent considerable volunteer effort to provide direct input to County Councilors about my concerns and what I have been learning. Watching the presentation and discussion after seven months of the proverbial “pushing a rope up the hill”  leaves me questioning whether our County government has a serious focus and capability for improving these things.

I’ll keep trying … at least for a while.