Since 2001, the BusinessLINC supply chain development program in Tucson has connected local businesses on 100 contracts totaling more than $60 million.

Without the introduction of this program, Tucson would be short $60 million in business that either has stayed in the community instead of going elsewhere or has brought in new dollars to local companies that have contractedin some cases as a groupto bring in work from outside of Tucson.

Although we don't have any specific numbers, we can surmise that the $60 million has either led to new jobs, new capital investment or maybe some other reinvestment into Tucson operations.

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Today, City Manager James Keene will introduce his proposed budget to the mayor and City Council. We hope that he will seek full local funding to continue the support of the successful Tucson BusinessLINC program, which appears to have lost further federal funding. We also encourage the mayor and City Council to consider full funding as well.

We realize it will be a tough budget cycle for the mayor and council, and many programs will face cuts. A program that would cost $350,000 to continue operating efficiently and effectively, according to staff, seems to be well worth the cost when you see that the results landed $60 million worth of contracts.

The supply chain development program, which taps into an online database that includes detailed company informationif local companies choose to submit itoffers the BusinessLINC staff an opportunity to link one local business to another. Sure, businesses can use the database to do their own searching.

However, the BusinessLINC staff has made the difference in the success of this program. Their connections in the community have helped recognized the true linkages that can be formed. They also have assisted businesses in entering their information online.

If this program is not funded at any level, it will be a step backward at a time when the city and Pima County are addressing regional economic development. This program is one example of what lies at the heart of economic development. Existing business development and expansion occur because of such programs.

But let the business community speak for itself. In our Page 1 article, one local business executive raves about the program and how it has opened doors for new contracts.

It's easy to believe that businesses can find this work on their own accord. But most businesses do a lousy job of marketing themselves. Oftentimes, they don't even know what the business across the street it doing. They may believe that it's impossible to approach their neighbor or they simply may not know enough about the operation to know that one could supply the other.

Without a program such as BusinessLINC, the neighbors might never be linked.

Certainly, more local handshakes would further broaden Tucson's economic base. Deal? We hope so.