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Marshall,

I would like to comment on a few different parts of your article that I don't quite agree with.

" “tourism” represents only a tiny fraction" - I disagree whole heartedly on this one. My business doubles from winter to summer. Tourism is huge - during the summer montsh!

"Some can’t make the shift until retirement, but many aren’t willing to wait that long." I don't see enough new business start ups in the area to see that demographic meaning those who aren't will to wait that long.

"Such people have come to our area, by the thousands" - would like to know where these "Thousands" are located!

"but the ultimate goal of a tourism economy in small rural communities should be to strengthen our human capital by enticing new people, with new ideas" - My view is that we have given ample amount of time for these new people with new ideas, the problem is that there are not many or near enough.

"For some, it’s purely measured in the stuff we can buy, which means it is ultimately measured by the size of our paycheck. But for many, if not most, people, the paycheck is only one factor, and usually not even that close to the top of their list when it comes to life quality." - That statement most likely is a view of someone who paid plenty of attention to the size of their paycheck to the point that they could afford to move to Ely and try out some home based business. But what about the people who were born and raised here. They like the size of their paycheck which helps them buy snowmobiles, four wheelers, boats, nice homes etc. I think the size of the paycheck is maybe on the top of most of our lists. It's those who have a lot of money who might be able to say (while lying of course) that money doesn't mean that much to them.

"There are plenty of communities that have been swallowed up by strip development, big box stores and fast food chains" - I see that some chain stores and fast food chains give the community stability. Chains have a lot of background to how to run the business. This is why you see very few failed chains. On the other hand how many of the same restaurants in Ely alone have been bought and sold numerous times. I believe there are a couple for sale right now and trust me when I say that people don't usually go out of business because they made too much money.

And lastly....

"Unfortunately, we design all our roads here with the mindset of an extractive economy, where the only consideration is the fastest and most efficient transport of workers to the mill and whatever resource we happen to be shipping out at the moment." - This statement probably bothered me the most. In my daily travels to and from work the fastest driving vehicles are almost always cars with out-of-state license plates. In a hurry to get to the BWCA and the likes. They are often riding in their Denali's and Navigators. We have adapted our highways to expediate their drive to God's country!