Letter to the editor: Instead of attacking JSDC, thank them for development

Talk about it

I write regarding the amount of negative publicity the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. has been receiving. I heard radio personality Shawn Elliot attack the $6 million surplus that the JSDC has accumulated over the past few years. It seems Elliot thinks the sewer, roads or special assessments are more important than economic development.

To start off, I believe that the money JSDC had accumulated had already been dedicated to previous projects, namely the Spiritwood ethanol plant. Maybe Elliot didn’t realize this. Regardless, Elliot, being a person of influence and on the radio, I would assume he would have the facts straight prior to speaking? Or not so much in this case?

Moving forward, I would like to thank the JSDC for being there for the community! While most towns in North Dakota are shrinking or drying up, JSDC has been aggressively looking, not only to expand the community by bringing companies like Champ Industries to Jamestown area, by also enlisting applicants to add to Jamestown’s population. If not for JSDC, Jamestown wouldn’t have Champ Industries, and its 19 employees.

One of these newly added employees was laid off last month with 60 other personnel from Goodrich Corp. Its obvious we need more economic development, the same type that JSDC is directly responsible for!

JSDC has not only helped financially, but also in administrative ways. It has the right lawyers and bankers and facilitates meetings on several accounts. It makes starting a successful business much easier.

My company has added four more full-time positions in recent weeks and is looking to add another four full-time welders immediately. I would have to say special thanks to JSDC for not only going the extra mile to bring companies in to Jamestown area but for making the community a better place to live.

So next time, before to attacking JSDC, how about a simple thank you for helping create much-needed development for the community!

Eric Lien

Jamestown

(Lien is production manager at Champ Industries)

Tags: opinion, letters, jsdc, development, jamestown, jsdc, stutsman