Economic Development

Have you ever made the assumption that the Canadian Tires and Tim Hortons close to you just happen because they decided to move into the city? That all the businesses that exist where you are happen to be there by chance?

I've learned otherwise over the past few months. There are people hired by cities and towns just to attract and retain the businesses and services that a community wants or needs. So why does business and government working together always seem so seedy? Abuse of the system is obviously bad, but what is wrong with the government advocating on behalf of its citizens to create a commuinity that has the services it needs?

Business is not an entity that we need to suck up to, nor is it the great evil that many make it out to be. It is the workhorse that allows us the quality of life we expect. You get your pay from business. Even if you work for the government, you are being paid with tax dollars from business or from private citizens, who got their money from business.

So next time you make a generalist comment on the evils of business or profits, think of that money in your bank account, where you got it and where you actually spend it. The answer is business.

PS. WalMart is evil.