Corvallis Oregon has felt the pain from a slowing economy and has been clueless in how to deal with the concept. This is not a new phenomenon. Over the past several years different groups have attempted to lay claim to the "economic leader" role in the Corvallis community. The old Corvallis Chamber of Commerce became the Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition. The Downtown Corvallis Association has always had its view of how and what the Corvallis Economy should look like. The Corvallis Independent Business Alliance has been a competitor, in the realm of ideas, along with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Corvallis Association. Do not forget the Corvallis Tourism group. They have their finger in the pie as well. Given the number of disparate groups aforementioned one would think that there were quite enough competing ideas all going in different directions. Now the BEC or Business Enterprise Center enters into the mix along with the Corvallis Mayor and Corvallis City Council. With a population of just more than 50,000 citizens it would seem that there are enough groups all taking away from the common good rather than adding to the common good. The latest chapter in this saga includes a series of internal communications that have added a new player to the mix. Bob Warren, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Departments Business Development Officer for the South Willamette Valley, suggested in a recent e-mail that the Business Enterprise Center should take over the challenge of recruiting new business to the Corvallis area. It is important to note that with the number of players involved and the lack of leadership that is ongoing, it is impossible to have any cogent approach to realistic growth opportunities. Add to the mix the fact that the Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition withdrew its support from the Mayor's proposal for a Corvallis Business Licensing Fee Tax last year. I guess you can begin to see the dynamics developing. What must happen, but will probably never happen, is to have one entity with a mandate to seek out and recruit new growth. The one point that is "whispered" are the number of vacant buildings in downtown Corvallis. Moreover the most recent closure of 7 Stones Spa and Strega Restaurant. Questions that have been raised quietly include the health and viability of Iovino's and the Renaissance River Project. The City of Corvallis does not need back biting and divisiveness. Will the players finally get it. The common good comes first and not the individual agendas of any particular group. Unless something is forthcoming, and soon, the slow inexorable demise of the downtown Corvallis business district will be "a fait accompli".
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