Economic development is a business for optimists, and Gregory H. Wingfield is no exception.

Wingfield, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Richmond Partnership, said today that the Richmond area is better positioned to weather economic downturns than most areas because of its business diversity.

"When a recession rolls through, we're not going to feel it very much," Wingfield told the Greater Richmond Technology Council at a breakfast meeting at Innsbrook in western Henrico County.

The Greater Richmond Partnership, founded 14 years ago, is stepping up its efforts to attract new businesses and keep the ones already established in Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover, he said.

Wingfield acknowledged concerns about the financial services industry. Traditionally one of the region's strengths, the industry is taking a major hit with the relocation of Wachovia Securities to St. Louis and the loss of 2,000 jobs.

"We know that's still a very strong area for us," he said. "The highest concentration of jobs is in that sector."

The weak dollar has helped attract business investments from the United Kingdom and Europe, he said, "If it were not for international prospects, we'd be flat."

The partnership, in the midst of a new five-year capital campaign, will focus on recruiting talented workers, as well as new companies, to the Richmond area, Wingfield said. "We are looking at different ways to bring more knowledgeable workers into the marketplace."

Wingfield's bottom line: "We are doing better than most."

-- Michael Martz