To the editor:
The article “New position signals shakeup at SCEPI” in the Aug. 9 edition of The Shawano Leader inferred that the development of a new position will guide the SCEPI organization in the future. I am hopeful that with the addition of the new chief economic development position, SCEPI will capitalize on the opportunity to diversify its board to include more women, younger people and minorities.
I know the members of the board have the education, experience and credentials to be productive. The concern, however, is that the SCEPI board does not have a well-rounded perspective regarding the representation of the community as a whole. Of the 15 board members listed in the 2012 Annual Report/2013 Plan of Work, there was one female, very few members under the age of 40 and no minority representation. And if this area wants to increase in 1,000 new jobs by 2017, diverse perspectives will be pertinent to success.
The first step in having a more diverse board is to have more female representation. Without more females, the perspective of half the population is lost. Also, seven out of 10 new entrepreneurial ventures are being started by women. With a proven link between entrepreneurship and economic development, it seems obvious that female perspectives must be included in the economic development of their communities.
Second, new business ventures are continually being started by young people. Young people bring energy, fresh perspective and new ideas. Without involving the younger generation in the development of their home towns by listening to their perspective, providing encouragement and advice, and giving them a voice, they may not continue to reside within the area.
Third, 8.4 percent of the population of Shawano County is American Indian and 2.3 percent Hispanic. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, about one in three businesses is owned by minorities. In Shawano County, of the 3,402 business firms in 2010, fewer than 25 of those firms were owned by an American Indian and very few by Hispanics. Less than 1 percent of businesses in Shawano County are owned by minorities. Perhaps, if there were minority representation on the SCEPI board, the area could better capitalize on this untapped source of potential entrepreneurs.
When the board clearly represents the community at large, a fresh view regarding new job creation, entrepreneurship opportunities and economic development may be obtained.
Stephanie Erdmann
Shawano
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