Action sought on model for economy — not 'dust'

Bill Hickman is kicking up more dust in insisting that a single community be a model for rural economic development in Utah.

On Wednesday, the state senator continued to push that concept, expounding on his desire to "not just create dust" and stressing to a top economic development official that he wants to see action on the matter.

Hickman, R-St. George and co-chairman of the Workforce Services and Economic Development Interim Committee, on Wednesday told the group about his desire for Beaver or some other community to be a "poster child" for economic development programs so that other rural communities could better know what programs and projects work.

His comments echoed his remarks Tuesday to the Rural Development Legislative Liaison Committee, when he stressed action is needed instead of past work that has done nothing but "just create a lot of dust."

Too often, he told the interim committee Wednesday, the state's approach to rural communities has been "we'll help you if you need it, we're there as a resource. And quite simply they (the communities) don't know what questions to ask."

While many rural Utah communities are doing well, "We've got a little community down there that is just starving to death, and that happens to be Beaver, my old hometown. I've watched it happen, and it breaks my heart," Hickman said.

The senator later said the selected community need not be Beaver. "But do something that creates something that the end result is we have more jobs than we had before. That's the bottom line," he said.

His comments came during testimony by Martin Frey, managing director of business development for the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Hickman perceived a lack of emphasis on rural Utah projects, believing programs were putting heavy focus on the Wasatch Front.

But Frey said several programs, such as Smart Sites and Main Street downtown renovation projects, have worked well.

"I'm a believer that what we should do is consider a franchise model whereby you take the lessons you've learned and the intelligence about how that program worked and you help that community learn how to replicate and build those same success stories in their area," Frey said.

"I also agree we can't do everything and help every community at the same time, but I do think that we have had a number of key successes. . . . I think both focus and alignment around targeted areas is important, and I also think replicating key things that do work in different areas and cross-pollinating those lessons learned to the local economic community . . . I think both of those are a good way for us to move forward."

Hickman concluded by clarifying what he wants to happen when the dust settles.

"I will have you back to this committee," he told Frey, "and I want to have some progress reports on what's happening, particularly in the rural part of this state and in one community in particular that I want the state to focus on and solve some problems that they cannot solve themselves without your help."

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