A tantalizing line emerged from Gov. John Kitzhabers recent inaugural address. Kitzhaber said: It is important to recognize that adding 18 jobs in Coos Bay will have the same impact on that community as adding 500 jobs in Portland. 

It was heartening to hear the new governor spotlight an essential differential between rural and urban Oregon and a theme thats been heard time and again in these parts. We know only too well that a handful of jobs or small investment in places like John Day, Pendleton or Astoria is felt in a way that it would not be in Portland, Eugene or Medford. Its good to hear some recognition of that in Salem.

Kitzhaber added: Rural incomes need to grow as fast as metro incomes and we must also commit ourselves to providing jobs and increasing incomes even faster in our communities of color where chronic unemployment is far higher than the statewide average.

To beckon new employers and professionals, one of the best things rural communities can do is improve their infrastructure. Attractive places attract people and economic activity. Thats one idea behind John Days current application for a state grant to underground the major power lines that are a blight on the downtown and to improve its sidewalks. 

Does such change bring immediate results? Of course not. But tweaking our business climate and tourism image could be one element in an overall strategy to address our problems. The prospect of significant state investment adds to the appeal. 

Meanwhile, we need to take note of statements like the governors and let him know well  take him at his word. While he seems to be in the mood to hear it, we need to present our case for rural economies  not just tourism, but ranching and forest products that seem so mysterious to urbanites. 

Kitzhabers statement suggests  that he wants to know more. Perhaps a flood of letters, e-mails and phone calls from rural Grant County would help. SC