Iola’s economic development plan should consider the city’s housing shortage and the wants and needs of existing businesses to stay competitive with other communities, a local banker told City Council members Tuesday.
Jim Gilpin of Community National Bank and an Iola Industries board member, spoke about a number of topics with council members at the city’s strategic planning session.
“The first thing to keep in mind is it’s very important to stay competitive with other communities,” Gilpin said, noting that entrepreneurs are responsible for disproportionally large factions of new jobs. He cited as local examples, the growth of B&W Trailer Hitches in Humboldt and Cameron Industries in Iola.
Iola Industries has made it a goal to help provide incubator space, Gilpin said.
In order to remain competitive with other communities, Iola must have a healthy infrastructure, up-to-date facilities and a long-term plan and vision, Gilpin stressed.
“In the international race for jobs … site selectors are looking for reasons to eliminate communities,” Gilpin said, because so many towns are seeking new employers.
More importantly, the council should stay in touch constantly with the city’s large employers, who carry the greatest potential for job growth.
The council should “remain responsive” to local business needs, particularly with utilities or housing.
“You should be forward thinking toward future growth,” Gilpin continued. “You should not only pay somebody to update your plan, but make sure you keep your plan a working document that you refer to, and actually incorporate into the planning you make with your utilities.”
Iola’s goal, Gilpin said, should be to continually increase the number of utility hook-ups in the city, the clearest sign of growth.
HOUSING HAS been, and looks to be, the biggest barrier to job growth in Iola and elsewhere in southeast Kansas, Gilpin said.
The problem is the housing Iola needs is the least profitable for developers to build.
“Most communities (in southeast Kansas) are like we are, where it’s difficult to spend a lot of resources with the margin for reward is so small,” he said.
He said the city should strive for a multi-faceted approach to see more rental houses, single-family and multifamily structures. He pointed to Homes For Iola, a local group of investors looking to build small, affordable homes, as one avenue the city should explore further.
And while annexation is a controversial issue, the city should not summarily dismiss chances to expand and take in subdivisions outside Iola’s city limits, Gilpin offered.
COUNCIL MEMBERS were receptive to much of Gilpin’s offerings, noting the city should remain in contact with Gates, Russell Stover, Columbia Metal and other employers.
