Letter: Economic development includes quality of life

The Town of Hilton Head Island phased out the non-profit Economic Development Corporation it sponsored for several years. Apparently the results did not justify the cost of this approach to economic development.

This does not mean we do not need to actively work on improving our economic base. We urgently need to do that.

One of the tasks the corporation adopted was to “develop programs/actions to support the retention and growth of existing island businesses.”

We already, in fact, have a “business” that could expand exponentially, with the right “programs/actions.” That “ business” is the quality of life business — arts, culture, history, entertainment and adult education, all of which make Hilton Head a more desirable place to visit, live and invest.

As a business, it already has much of the “machinery” needed — theaters, orchestra, art and dance studios, International Piano Competition, discussion groups, choral groups and historic organizations.

What is needed is a coordinated, year-round program and a marketing plan that will bring new and different customers, particularly in the off-season. But what is needed most are new facilities to house its now badly restrained “machinery” so that it can create the finest quality product.

The town’s Venue Committee is now examining what an arts campus could do to help the town develop this already valuable asset. Let’s give this carefully-selected committee the support and resources it needs to develop a venue plan that will allow this “business” to achieve its full economic and social potential.

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Letter: Economic development includes quality of life."