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In areas with weak or declining economies, the opposite occurs. Local governments struggle to fund essential programs, with budgets under growing pressure to assist the impoverished. Residents have uncertain futures, filled with personal anxieties, with limited employment opportunities, stuck in subsistence level jobs. Businesses employ part-time workers and are unwilling to risk significant capital because of an uncertain future. The best and brightest young men and women must move from the area to seek quality employment, which is not available in their hometown. Nationally, there are more than 6,000 economic development organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and local, regional, and state government offices working in some fashion to improve the economy of their respective areas. Never in history has there been such an effort. Some organizations have large budgets, better community cooperation, and a stronger commitment from local government than others. These areas have the best chance to either maintain or improve the economic quality of life and standard of living of their citizens. Some areas, however, provide little or no attention to economic development programs. They do not fully understand the need to have a constant, aggressive economic development program just to maintain the existing condition. In these areas, typically, the local economy is on decline. Even though local community leaders cannot control the actions or policies of the federal or state government, they indeed can establish policies and create local programs, which assist and foster economic growth. The premise, therefore, of this economic development strategy for Arden Hills is that an active participation in fostering the economic strength of the local economy is an essential action by the local unit of government and a responsible action thereof. Strategic Plan for Economic Development Page 4 of 23 p 9 Draft—Subject to Approval and Adoption