How to make a difference

In disasters or crisis, people often feel helpless, freeze and do nothing which is exactly what happens nothing. So given our current economic situation what can you do to make a difference? Here are 10 ideas. While no single action is likely to save the day, working together will make a difference, and even doing one thing is better than standing back, watching and doing nothing at all.

1. Economic development efforts help create (or restore, in our region's case) wealth and stability for communities, companies and citizens. While this tip may seem a bit too close to home and self-serving from the president and CEO of the regional economic development authority, remember that airline attendants tell you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency so you are able to help others. That's what we and our partners are trying to do. Over the last five years, every $1 spent on economic development has generated 135 new dollars into the economy. Thus the first tip is to help economic development in any way you can. This includes tourism efforts. While we certainly need financial resources to perform vital economic development services community-wide, we also need your ideas. Send us your business leads of companies considering moving or expanding their operations. And send referrals for conventions, conferences and meetings to the Reno Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority.

2. Contact your federal, state and local officials letting them know you support economic development efforts along with other critical needs. To put it in farming terms, it would seem wise that while crops may be in weak shape now, we must tend to the soil and plant new seeds for the spring, which is certain to come. No government entity has money to spare, yet at least some must go into emergency relief (economic development and tourism) efforts to help rebuild our communities' economy. Reno, Sparks and Washoe County understand this and wisely continue to support economic development efforts financially and cooperatively.

3. Read the 2009 Federal Economic Development Agenda: Policy Recommenda-tions for the 44th President and 111th Congress agenda. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), on whose board I am honored to sit, recently presented this document to President-elect Obama's Treasury transition team. The document contains some key suggestions that connect the federal, state and local programs that would form a lasting economic stimulus package. A complete copy of the agenda is available at www.edawn.org/docs/news-room/IEDC_Presidential_Transition_Document_.pdf. Take a look and let your elected officials know if you support our recommendations.

4. Stay positive and look for encouraging signs. There are many sectors of the economy not always reported by the media that are doing well. As an example, the inquiries from companies considering starting or expanding business in the Greater Reno-Tahoe region are on the rise. Since July 1, the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada has received 140 requests for information from prospect companies and more than 30 companies have made site visits to the area. We have 150 projects in our pipeline, with about eight that are near completion, representing 700-1,000 new jobs. We are just one entity, working to catalyze and coordinate economic development efforts, so surely there is even more activity with key partners and around the region, including some companies just doing it on their own."

5. Put news in perspective. As a former television executive I would never suggest that you avoid the media and dismal economic headlines, but I do encourage you to keep it in perspective. Part of people freezing up may be fed by focusing too much on the constant stream of negative economic news, even if much of it doesn't affect you directly. If enough people tell you that you look sick, eventually you will feel and get sick, even if you are really just fine.

6. Spend what you can. Certainly if you have lost your job this doesn't apply. But, don't stand on the sidelines out of fear if you have the resources to perform your own small economic stimulus package it all adds up! Experts I talk to say there is plenty of money but people are holding onto it for a variety of reasons. If you cut back on spending when you don't really have to, that makes things much worse. Certainly be wise with your money, but if you stop buying services and goods and keep your money under the mattress, think of the people in the economic money stream who will suffer as this virtual reverse momentum of deflation spirals out of control. Maybe you yourself will be, or are, caught up in this vortex of irrational fear and paralysis. Pay it forward!

7. Invest if you can. The old adage to "buy low and sell high" applies now. Market cyclists know that now may be the best time to get into the water to ride the tide as it rises.

8. Network for work. If you are out of a job and looking, don't just fill out and drop off applications and resumes. The best tactic is to network. Don't just ask for a job, ask for advice and leads from friends and family. In tight times you need to broaden your search methods.

9. Help one another. This community has a great giving spirit whether

the need is physical (fires, floods) or economic.

10. Try to understand the capital system we enjoy relies on the concept of interdependence, which means we pay taxes to share the load of services we all need and use.

Certainly you can see the hope in the business activity and interest in our region and can find at least one nugget or two in this list that you can employ to help make a difference. Get off the sidelines and into the game. Americans and those of us living in Reno-Tahoe have always had a Can Do spirit in difficult times, and these are difficult times we will overcome, working together.

Chuck Alvey is president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.