Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman visited the Albert Lea Business Development Center Saturday, urging local political and business leaders to build up a partnership.

Economic development is something that Coleman has been explicit about in his campaign. His words, he says, are backed by his achievements as St. Paul mayor between 1993 and 2001, which include the revitalization of downtown, incubating new businesses and attractions and the creation of 18,000 jobs.

Commending Albert Lea’s efforts for cultivating a good business environment, Coleman said, &uot;One thing I understood about economic development is that it isn’t that the government does everything. It works in a partnership with the business community. You can’t grow jobs if you are anti-business.&uot;

Referring to St. Paul’s success using the Mississippi River to promote waterfront development, Coleman encouraged the audience to identify the resources Albert Lea can utilize for development, and maximize them.

Human resources, supported by a sound education system, agriculture and ag-related industries, including ethanol production, are among the assets that Coleman said provide great potential for the region.

&uot;Don’t study it to death. Do it,&uot; Coleman said, embracing the optimism and active commitment of government and community leaders. &uot;It’s so easy to kill things in government. So easy to stop something from happening. You’ve got to inspire the people saying that a bright future is up there.&uot;

Being a Republican switched from the DFL, Coleman has been emphasizing a bipartisan approach to move forward agendas he thinks are stagnated by partisan conflicts, such as the creation of a Department of Homeland Security, prescription drug coverage, and environmental issues.

Referring to one source of partisan discord in Minnesota and other states regarding Social Security, Colman stressed that he has no intention to cut any benefits for seniors. &uot;No one is talking about taking the Social Security system, which is a government-run system, and giving it over to business.&uot;

His DFL opponent, Paul Wellstone has been increasingly criticizing Coleman for advocating the partial privatization of Social Security.

Coleman rebuffed the attack, calling it a political strategy to scare the seniors off. &uot;(Wellstone) has not offered a single idea for strengthening the system and making sure it’s going to be there,&uot; Coleman said.