Nothing Else Matters
I’d really like to spend some time on my site here babbling a little bit about the social and economic outlook for Susquehanna County - and unfortunately this begins a conversation about politics. I love this area. I’d prefer to live nowhere else. But for the eight plus years I have spent in this county, I really haven’t seen any proactive economic development. It just baffles me that this county, adjacent to major transportation routes and multiple metropolitan regions can offer virtually nothing in terms of employment opportunities for its residents. Besides the hospital and school systems, there exist no major regional employer. The only other significant employer is the quarry industry - and while these provide excellent opportunities for earnings, most likely offer employees no retirement or insurance incentives. This just isn’t good for families and community building.
Why aren’t we seeking large manufacturing or distribution companies and agressively courting them? This county is in dire need of employment for the average resident in order to generally improve the quality of life for all residents. Its time to stop concerning ourselves so much with fundamentally inconsequential issues, and get down to the business of finding ways to bring jobs into Susquehanna County. Until we do…absolutely nothing else matters.
I know this is starting to sound like a campaign speech, but its time we start talking about these issues and get serious about them. It absolutlely astounds me that this County decided that we should dissolve our Economic Development Committee and outsource economic development to a neighboring county? Come on! What is the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission doing, or even planning to do, for us? I know its not fair to start playing the us/them game, but lets be realistic…we posess some significant attributes that make our county uniquely attractive to businesses that other “northerth tier” counties don’t. Let’s start reaping those benefits and get residents some opportunities for meaningful work.
Susquehanna County should be able to retain its own core group of exceptionally qualified individuals that can AGGRESSIVELY market Susquehanna County’s assets to major employers. In my opinion, we can’t afford not to.