Before the Bass Pro Shops store opened at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius in June 2004, a word often used about the impact the store would have on the Auburn area was “transformation.”

Other communities around the country had seen a giant impact when this retailer opened one of their massive outdoors and recreation stores. Shoppers came from hours away, and spent big money in local hotels, shops and eateries.

Five years later, as anyone can see, a transformation did not take place in Cayuga County. And while there's no question that the national economic recession has cut into progress brought about in the first few years of Bass Pro's existence here, it was also clear in those first few years that the landscape had not dramatically changed.

That does not mean Bass Pro's presence has failed to help the local economy.

The evidence that the much-hyped store has brought about some growth is clear. Sales tax revenues and hotel occupancy rates are up, even if the amount of growth has fallen short of original expectations. The mall itself, while struggling with recent tenant losses brought about largely by the national economy, remains in much better shape than it was prior to the arrival of Bass Pro. Across the street, a shopping center has national big-box retailers that would have not come here if not for the increased traffic brought by Bass Pro.

So what's the conclusion to draw about the Bass Pro story?

Perhaps it's a reminder that economic development does not happen with one major project.

To achieve lasting growth and a strong economic foundation, it takes all kinds of efforts, from luring destination retailers such as Bass Pro to creating positive conditions for entrepreneurs to start - and keep - small businesses here.

Plenty of big ideas are still out there for the local economy (the Musical Theatre Festival comes to mind), and we encourage elected leaders to get behind them. At the same time, it's important to simultaneously maintain focus on the needs of all businesses, big and small.