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<br />completing high school or college, remain in the area as growing employment . <br />opportunities in their "hometown" capture their interest. <br />In areas with weak or declining economies, the opposite occurs. Local <br />governments struggle to fund essential programs, with budgets under <br />growing pressure to assist the impoverished. Residents have uncertain <br />futures, filled with personal anxieties, with limited employment opportunities, <br />stuck in subsistence level jobs. Businesses employ part-time workers and are <br />unwilling to risk significant capital because of an uncertain future. The best <br />and brightest young men and women must move from the area to seek <br />quality employment, which is not available in their hometown. <br />Nationally, there are more than 6,000 economic development organizations, <br />Chambers of Commerce, and local, regional, and state government offices <br />working in some fashion to improve the economy of their respective areas. <br />Never in history has there been such an effort. Some organizations have . <br />large budgets, better community cooperation, and a stronger commitment <br />from local government than others. These areas have the best chance to <br />either maintain or improve the economic quality of life and standard of living <br />of their citizens. Some areas, however, provide little or no attention to <br />economic development programs. They do not fully understand the need to <br />have a constant, aggressive economic development program just to maintain <br />the existing condition. In these areas, typically, the local economy is in <br />decline. <br />Even though local community leaders cannot control the actions or policies of <br />the federal or state government, they indeed can establish policies and <br />create local programs, which assist and foster economic growth. The <br />premise, therefore, of this economic development strategy for Arden Hills is <br />that an active participation in fostering the economic strength of the local <br />economy is an essential action by the local unit of government and a <br />responsible action thereof. . <br />Strategic Plan for Economic Development Page 4 of 25 <br />Final Draft - Ready for Release Subject to Council Approval and Adoption <br />