Earlier last month, a major retailer decided against setting up shop in Caldwell. It located to Nampa, instead.

Several reasons were given for the bailout. For one, the retailer did not want to take the chance of being the first big retail store in Caldwell. Other reasons had to do with ongoing disagreements in negotiations with city officials over the frontage property access.

The name of the major retail store? It’s anyone’s guess. Although the company did hire a developer which leads to speculation that it was either Home Depot or Fred Meyer. It appears the business is finding it easier to work with Nampa city officials while they look to secure 175,000 square foot of retail space.

Citizens have commented that the city “did it again.” Officials continued their stance on being too difficult to do business with – ongoing, say citizens. One reputable blog hosted by one of the city’s taxpayers noted that Caldwell officials lack the ability to walk heavy hitters through a resolution process to draw in big business.

It appears that officials do not have an effective plan to develop and grow the city. The city has been marketed as “cheap,” because … well … it is! It’s cheap to live and cheap to hire workers. Caldwell missed the opportunity for major retail service that would have provided about 200 jobs to the community and padded the city’s coffers in sales and property tax revenue.

According to Sterling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Caldwell is at 18.28 percent lower than the national average. With a negative job growth, jobs in the city have decreased by 4.10 percent. The number of those who currently receive unemployment benefits sits at 11.3 percent, much higher than the national average. More could be noted if you could access the number of jobless whose benefits ran out.

The resolve suggested by the reputable blogger? Hiring a city manager would be the proverbial first step in the right direction.

Caldwell’s foreclosures make up 31 percent of the homes on the market. That’s a big number, which could be attributed to the jobs lost in the area; however, the figure is reflective in cities throughout the nation.

Caldwell’s not alone in their predicament; although, how they move forward, if they move forward, will be the indicator of the character of the city officials. That’s a big burden … but one they asked for.