The economic base is important for several reasons:
1. It drives local economic growth and job creation. The industries that make up a region's economic base, like manufacturing, technology, finance, etc. are the primary sources of jobs, income, and wealth generation in that local economy. A strong and diverse economic base means more and better job opportunities for residents.
2. It increases tax revenues. The economic base industries and the jobs they support generate tax revenues for local governments through income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, business taxes, etc. These revenue sources fund important public services like schools, police, fire departments, infrastructure, etc.
3. It improves living standards. A thriving economic base with a low unemployment rate means higher wages, lower poverty rates, and an overall higher standard of living for residents. People have more financial means to afford housing, healthcare, education, and other essentials.
4. It attracts more businesses and investments. A dynamic economic base attracts further business interests and investments. This results in business expansions, new startups, corporate headquarters, and other businesses being drawn to the region. This cycle of business attraction and growth continues.
5. It builds community wealth. When there are more and better job opportunities and higher incomes in a region, community wealth is built up over time through homeownership, asset accumulation, and intergenerational wealth transfer. This built-up wealth sustains the economy even during downturns.
6. It enhances innovation. Economic base industries, especially in high-tech fields, drive innovation that spurs productivity gains, new inventions, technological progress, and other advances that boost standards of living and economic prosperity over the long run.
So in summary, a diverse, robust, and growing economic base is essential for sustained economic and community development. It forms the foundation for job creation, wealth generation, fiscal health, high living standards, and innovation.