Ec Dev Myth 7: Proximity is the key

Old school economic developers will often pitch a locale based on its proximity to other places: 4 hours to this city, 2 hours to another one. What they don't list are the things that important to entrepreneurs, who often like to work hard and play harder: mountains, beach, hiking, other outdoor activities. It's part of what makes Silicon Valley what it is today.

It's obvious why old-school economic development listed proximity: they chased big manufacturing that needed big power, big logistics and big draws for big company executives, who want high-end shopping and arts that aren't available in the locale being pitched. But it's almost as if those pitching the locale as being n hours from somewhere else would rather be there than here.