The local jobs machine.

• Author: DeSeve, G. Edward
• Position: Commentary - Reprint

As Washington continues to debate how to reduce unemployment, they might want to reach out to local government leaders. This cadre of elected, appointed, and merit officials is in a position to make a real difference.

Over the years, I have spoken with hundreds of mayors, county commissioners, and other local officials. Very often, I was asked how to promote economic development and how to create more jobs. I have gone back over my notes from years past and distilled the "Top Ten Things Local Officials Can Do to Promote Job Creation":

1. Know Your Job Creators. You need to find out what kind of jobs employers currently have in place and whether their companies and their industries are likely to grow. You need to get the statistics and also talk directly with large and small employers.

2. Know Your Labor Force. What kinds of skills are in your labor force, and how can they be enhanced? Do these skills fit what employers need? Will you need to "import" some workers? Where are you likely to find them? For example, Canadian health-care providers recently advertised in the United States for workers to fill their skill shortages.

3. Know the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Community. Location, transportation, infrastructure, quality of life, and education are only some of the factors that affect location decisions. Seek out location consultants and ask them how you stack up against your competition, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

4. Form Partnerships. Find employers who are willing to work with you and put them to work with their customers, their suppliers, and their colleagues to encourage job creation. The "agglomeration effect," where co-location promotes efficiency, is very real.

5. Talk Constantly. Let people know that you are "open for work." At every chance, let employers know that you want to help in any way you can. Go to schools and colleges and encourage faculty to understand local needs, and encourage students to seek employment locally after they graduate.

6. Have a Plan. Publish an official "plan for jobs." This should describe what kinds of jobs you want, where they could be located, what incentives are available, what federal government programs can be used to help, what regulations might need to be changed, and how taxes can be modified to encourage job creation. Make sure that there is an organizational infrastructure in place to carry out this plan, with well-packaged financing and training available.

7. Streamline...