Noted economic analyst to speak at Kroc Center

COEUR d'ALENE - An economist and author on the subject of community-based economic development will speak at the Kroc Center on Feb. 28.

Michael Shuman's free presentation will offer analysis and advice regarding North Idaho's economic development, focused on locally owned business in particular, said Michael King, a member of the board of the Hayden Chamber of Commerce, which is helping to sponsor Shuman's visit.

"Michael Shuman has some very intriguing solutions," King said. "These are actionable ideas that we can put to use right now - things that have worked in other towns like ours."

Shuman has led community-based economic-development efforts in communities from Martha's Vineyard, Mass., to Carbondale, Colo. He is currently research director for BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, which has 80 business networks representing 22,000 businesses.

"My focus increasingly is on local job creation - how and why local businesses are the missing piece for solving the current puzzle of unemployment," Shuman said.

Shuman said his presentation here will offer a specific analysis of North Idaho and Hayden in particular, showing where dollars are leaking away from the local economy.

His talk will focus on three areas: Why locally owned businesses will be the real stimulus of the economy, what locally owned businesses are doing to become more competitive, and what can be done as a region to spur that growth even more.

"What I'm hearing from people, after struggling for two years with the national economy, is that it's game time," said King, an investment banker with D.A. Davidson. "People are ready to do something - to take control of their local economic environment and their future."

The presentation is open to the public.

Information: Michael King, [email protected] or 667-1212.