Anacortes has a new planning director set to come on board with some distinct marching orders.

Ryan Larsen, a former Arlington city councilman and senior planner for Snohomish County, will be expected to focus on economic development, says Mayor Dean Maxwell, who is understandably pleased with Larsen’s experience in the public sector and the private sector, where he worked on development projects and briefly headed a private consulting firm and was an Edward Jones investment representative.

Larsen needs to be confirmed by the City Council of course, but his resumé looks solid, he’s from this region and familiar with the growth and development challenges and opportunities, and he’s the brother of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. That can’t hurt.

Building relationships will be an important priority from day one. Much economic development work and analysis is being done, and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce for one has been digging into things more deeply than ever.

The Port of Anacortes is about to discuss proposals for development at the Cap Sante Boat Haven, and the maritime trades group here has ideas and innovations for strengthening the boat building industry.

Things are never slow over at the Economic Development Association of Skagit County office in Mount Vernon.

Helping bring a focus to these efforts will be a big job. It will take everyone, not just the planning director, but he will be a key player.

The time seems right for Anacortes to take some big steps forward in economic development, building on the base we have.

As Larsen undoubtedly knows, most new jobs come from existing businesses. Strengthening the business climate here — for tourism, health care, boat building and everything else that drives our economy — is more important than ever in this economic downturn. There’s a lot of basic blocking and tackling when it comes to economic development and much less flying around the country wooing new industry than people think.

Larsen looks up to the challenge. We hope he’s welcomed aboard.