In the last couple of weeks, there was a very insightful report released suggesting ways to create a master plan to guide downtown development. As part of the current City Council's goals, this report was commissioned by the Downtown Corvallis Association to identify holes in the business mix downtown, focus recruitment efforts and attract OSU students downtown.

While I agree in general with the suggestions, I need to discuss one in particular: The report concludes that Corvallis "needs to find ways to attract a Gap or Old Navy store."

I believe that the focus should be to attract a quality independent store specializing in, but not restricted to, the merchandise particular to those national chains. I have written about this before, and I feel compelled to keep this particular point in the forefront of our consciousness as we seek ways to improve our business community.

Why can't we work to encourage someone to open a store with a similar product mix that can be tailored to the desires of our community? From all the research that has been done, this is a golden opportunity that will have the support and encouragement of us all. I know "brand names" are important to many people, but I have an undeniable feeling that we appreciate quality over advertising here in Corvallis.

The Corvallis Independent Business Alliance strongly believes that the best way to develop a healthy, stable and diverse economy is through encouraging local ownership as the first option. We need a program that encourages local proprietors to fill local needs.

The DCA and the Chamber of Commerce are doing a great job of researching Corvallis' needs, and Linn-Benton Community College is a wonderful resource for helping new businesses get through the first couple of years. There is also the Economic Development Partnership to help identify and attract larger businesses.

If you look around town, you will easily notice that it has been local owners starting or expanding businesses these past few years — not some national retailer looking to expand its market share.

When we have people who live and raise their children here deciding to invest in their community, we have security we can reasonably count on. When we try to entice a distant corporation to build another outlet here, then we are at the mercy of their board of directors and their changing profit goals and product mix.

Downtown Corvallis is a dramatically better shopping experience because of local owners — and it continues to improve as both ends of First and Second streets attract major new developments from local owners!

I believe we have all the pieces necessary to complete the puzzle. We just need a commitment to allow locally owned, independently operated business at least an equal opportunity to compete when a need is identified. If we can't find someone locally, then we can look in other towns for successful businesses to either relocate or open a second store.

Let's use our high quality of life to attract others who appreciate Corvallis for the unique town that it is. They will help contribute to sustaining that quality for our children to enjoy.