Nelson Otto
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
For a very long time now our City Council has focused the economic development in the direction of tourism and retail. One of the things we should have learned from the coronavirus is that this may not be such a good idea. Two reasons why the city should diversify its efforts are #1. In an epidemic people will be reluctant to travel and be in tour groups. They definitely wouldn't want to be in a crowd of people like that an event like Thursday Night Live and there is no reason to have a huge convention center if large scale events might spread a disease. #2. Tourism and retail are often surplus funds. If the economy gets bad one of the first expenditures to be dropped will be trips, tourism and purchases.
The coronavirus did make a valid lesson about the value of distribution of consumer goods. I suggest a new emphasis on merchandise distribution and manufacturing. Especially on goods that people need or think they need, like food and toilet paper. It is important for the future of Jefferson city that we look at diversifying the city's economic development. Perhaps the city can attract manufacturing, distributing and even computer firms to Jefferson City. It is worth looking in to.