Study: Santa Fe should build a new economy

Santa Fe should focus its future economic development efforts on seven major business sectors, according to a city-commissioned report that was released this week.

The report, "Cultivating Santa Fe’s Future Economy" identifies the sectors as arts and culture, hospitality, water conservation and clean energy technologies, software development, publishing and new media, and outdoor gear and apparel.

Ben Madden
NMBW Staff

http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2004/04/19/story1.html?t=printable

(Thanks to Chris Gibbons for passing this along- Russ)

The economic plan was created by Angelou Economics, an Austin, Texas consulting firm, and will be unveiled during a public forum on April 29 at Santa Fe’s Lensic Theater.

According to Craig Fiels, senior economic development planner for the city of Santa Fe, the plan is expected to be adopted by the city council on May 12. The economic blueprint will replace the city’s current plan, which was drafted in 1996.

Specifically, the report encourages the city to focus on creating a climate that is ripe for entrepreneurship and small business success, rather than on recruiting large companies, a concept that the city currently refers to as "economic gardening."

Fiels says that based on initial comments from the city’s governing body, the plan is being received enthusiastically; he predicts that it will be adopted without significant changes.

Gary Elhert, executive director of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, provided initial input for the study and says he hopes the plan outlined in the report is implemented.

"I hope the city council takes it seriously, embraces it, and moves forward with it," he says. "The city needs an economic plan and needs to understand that it’s the economy that finances [city services]."

A self-described five-year plan, the 57-page report was one of several commissioned by the city for a total cost of $95,000.

The study was a seven-month effort, and involved input from some 1,500 Santa Feans; 30,000 of the study’s questionnaires were mailed to residents in municipal water bills last year.

Themes expressed by the report included creating jobs that complement "the community’s unique character," aggressively directing how economic-induced changes occur, and ensuring that "new developments retain the essence of the community."

The report also says that city officials should adopt a more focused approach to economic development, starting with identifying, and agreeing on, long-term goals.

Elhert agrees with the study’s finding "that tourism is one of the city’s driving forces," and that a new convention center is key to expanding the city’s travel-related economy.

Elhert also agreed with the report’s emphasis on controlled growth.

"Growth needs to occur in any city, it’s just how much," he says. "You’ve got to keep the culture in Santa Fe; without that, you don’t have a Santa Fe."

In areas like education, the report even goes so far as to suggest what those specific goals should be, such as an increased emphasis on pre-K through 12 education, inspiring parents to place a greater value on education in the home, and turning primary education "into a cause around which the community can rally."

John Hartnett, director of communications for the Santa Fe campus of St. John’s College, read the report and says that the university is excited to be named one of the city’s primary education partners.

"That’s a huge role for us," Hartnett says. "That part of the report fits with our efforts to be a good neighbor and reach out to the community."

The college would do so, he says, through tutors and community seminars, where families "can get direct evidence of the value of a good education."

The report also recommends public service ads that address the importance of staying in school, though advertising agencies eager to offer their services should know that "pro-bono" (non-paid) advertising and marketing services are suggested in the report.

In terms of supporting business development, the study recommends helping start-up companies "link to local and state capital," and broadening financial support to the Santa Fe Business Incubator, so that it can offer more customized business resources.

While some business strategies highlighted, such as, "adopt a more business friendly attitude within city government," and "lobby the state to create a network of small business incubators" need little explanation, others are less clear.

The report says the city should "take steps to make Santa Fe the water conservation and clean energy capital of the U.S., and "ensure that Santa Fe contains an atmosphere that is fun and exciting to young people."

Furthermore, Fiels said that it’s still uncertain where money will come from for ambitious projects such as, "Construct a new convention center to replace the Sweeney Center," or "Create a national center for design" at the Rail Yard.

Some areas, where specific solutions are mentioned, might still leave some readers scratching their heads.

Under the heading, "create innovative programs for the hospitality industry," the study suggests that movie-set catering and transportation services be provided to film crews through the community college, "providing students with on-the-job training experience."

Anthony DellaFlora, board chairman of New Mexico’s Digital Filmmaking Institute, counters that the idea might work better on paper than in real life.

"For most any film, catering is very key; you have to keep the troops fed and feed them well. It’s one of those things where, if you’re not in the movie business, you don’t understand."

DellaFlora says that the question of student-run limousine services might be moot, since "that’s typically a Teamsters job."

Fiels agrees that aspects of the report may be more viable than others, but suggests that the intent of the study was to aim high. Fiels says. "These ideas are really something to give us to chew on," he says.

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