Craig Daily Press

Growth.

In some ways, it is clearly evident that growth is happening in Craig. Unemployment rates are down and sales taxes are up.

In other ways, the view is murkier.

While the housing market continues to rise -- some houses today could sell for at least $50,000 more than a year ago (a sure sign of growth) -- it could be argued you cannot have growth unless you see a substantial number of houses being built.

And to an extent, that's right. In most towns, that would be true.

Not in towns like Craig, where the housing market is in a reverse bell curve.

Why?

Because we're downhill from a ski town.

The reality is Steamboat Springs has a major impact on Craig's housing market. Contractors can make more money in the 'Boat because of the bigger profits to be made building the ski-town houses.

But, as Craig's market value continues to rise, so will the profit rates of contractors, which in turn will make Craig more attractive to contractors.

Despite the appearance of Craig not growing from that standpoint, the editorial board encourages people to realize two things: That yes, Craig is, in fact, growing, and we need to be proactive in our approach to it.

There are questions we must answer prior:

• Are our schools big enough?
• Is our city infrastructure able to withstand the growth?
• Do we have enough police and firefighters to handle the issues typically associated with growth.
• What about affordable housing?

And there is a dilemma. We will need houses in Craig, but many contractors may not come to Craig until the market dictates a larger profit. However, that kind of market could destroy people not able to keep up. We could be outgrowing people who cannot afford the kind of market Craig needs to grow.

Some officals have likened the expected economic boom to a tsunami. In order to withstand that, we need affordable housing.

And we need to start focusing on that now.