To the editor:

After attending the jobs forum last Thursday and being impressed with the openness and diversity of those participating, I read with interest Saturday’s J-W editorial, “First steps.” The piece questioned how Lawrence’s perceived “quality of life” strengths might be translated into jobs.

Perhaps we should look at how other communities are making quality of life a central focus of their own economic development plans. One example might be the Lansing, Mich., area that just unveiled a collaborative cultural economic development plan with a goal of becoming “the Midwest’s most welcoming and supportive destination for creative innovators and entrepreneurs.”

As we in Lawrence continue to explore ways to stimulate our economy, let’s try to build on all of our strengths.