A development director

Friday, January 15, 2010

On the theory that you have to spend money to make money, it’s probably a good idea for Bedford to hire an economic development director whose job it would be to attract businesses to the community.

And there’s more. In its report to the Town Council, the Economic Development Committee said the director would work with existing businesses to keep them in Bedford and build relationships with communities surrounding Bedford.

We have previously praised the work of the committee, the members of which we have found to be sensible and conscientious, and this report supports that belief.

The rub, of course, is money, and not because the proposed $100,000, which includes a $60,000 salary with the rest of the money for benefits and other costs, is all that much. In the grand scheme of things – i.e., local budgets – it’s not.

But town councilors, wisely, didn’t leap upon this bandwagon, indicating some reluctance to spend the money, and we can understand that. Any spending for something that isn’t immediately visible in terms of production can be anathema to taxpayers, especially in lean years. Not everyone who has to pay taxes understands that it can take a little time for a return on a smart investment, which we think is the case here.

Bedford, as is the case with all communities, is in competition for whatever potential new business is out there and just hanging out a red, white and blue “Open” sign on the entrances to town isn’t going to do much.

Nor is leaving the attraction of new business in the hands of amateurs. As great a job as the committee has done, it is made up, for the most part, of people who aren’t in the business of attracting businesses to communities. Plus, they have lives and jobs that will take up most of their time.

But someone hired to do the job will, we hope, do the job.

The problem will be convincing voters that patience is not only a virtue, it is sometimes a necessity, and that would be the case with an economic development director. He isn’t going to attract new business in a week. It might take a year or more.

The good thing is, however, that we will be able to judge this person, eventually, by what new businesses come to town and what they pay in taxes. If we pay this person $100,000, including benefits, and this person attracts businesses that pay $200,000 in taxes, the town has done well.

Certainly this requires more thought, but, in the end, we think it’s a good idea. Remember, voters, it was proposed by your fellow citizens who pay taxes, too.