During 2017, United Van Lines was called on 110,000 times to move a family from one place to another.
Part of the process was for the families to complete a brief questionnaire, which told where each was going and why. When tabulated, the questionnaires painted a graphic picture of which states were losing population, which were gaining.
Particularly notable was that young professionals and retirees were quitting California in favor of the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West. Also notable, from local perspective, was that Kansas ranked fifth in outbound moves, 56.3 percent of 2,370 total.
These statistics come from a good-sized sample, and as such are likely accurate. At the top of the list for destinations are Vermont, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada.
Meanwhile, Allen County commissioners made a decision Tuesday morning that bodes well for population stability and gains for this area. They agreed to provide revenue from an annual ad valorem levy of 1 mill to support the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, which, in 2019, will be about $141,000.
Thats an increase of $41,000 from this year and the past two, when the county forwarded $100,000 a year, in large measure to help replace revenue lost when USD 257 backed away from a greater commitment. Prior to that, the county contributed $32,000 a year.
Why, you may ask, does the countys largess have a role in population growth.
The answer is simple.
The Bowlus Fine Arts Center plays a significant role in a familys decision of whether to settle in Iola, or Allen County.
With transportation being what it is today, many arent troubled by driving 10, 20, even 30 miles a day to meet responsibilities of employment. Thus, they seek a place to live where amenities are to their liking.
The Bowlus fits into the scheme of things by providing high-profile entertainment and cultural opportunities seldom found on a similar scale in a city of Io-las size. Were it not for the Bowlus, comparable productions musical, stage and other public events would require a drive of many miles to a city many times greater.
Bowlus proponents pointed out to commissioners prior to a vote on the levy of numerous instances where families mentioned the decision on where to live was predicated in part of availability of the Bowlus, its professional programing and options within participatory events, such as the Iola Community Theatre.
The Bowlus may not move the needle much for families deciding to leave Kansas, but it does have a very significant role for those incoming.
Bob Johnson
