The elimination of around 80 positions at Gates Corporation’s Iola plant is a bitter pill to swallow.
80 families lose a wage earner, many of whom had spent decades at the facility. They’ll leave behind institutional knowledge and meaningful friendships. Those who remain will feel their absence.
When conditions are right, work can be deeply satisfying. Our jobs give us purpose, make us part of something, and give us opportunities to excel. That has been ripped away from dozens of people, and a new job somewhere else won’t replace that.
It’s not an exaggeration to say many are mourning that loss.
It’s been a rough year. In April, KwiKom cut over 30 positions from the company’s construction crews. Marmaton Market’s recent closure didn’t result in significant job losses, but its absence impacts Moran and our county’s access to fresh foods. Every business that closes leaves a hole.
Statewide, Kansas is also losing jobs. The Kansas Dept. of Labor reports a loss of 10,300 nonfarm jobs from a year ago. Reductions in local government, with a loss of 8,300, make up most of the number, but only 3 of 9 private sectors have seen growth in the last year.
Farmers are hurting. Bumper crops mean little without customers (read: China) to buy them. Most producers of row crops lost money in 2023 and 2024, and with tariffs, higher input costs and high interest rates, next year is projected to be as bad, if not worse. A multibillion-dollar federal bailout is coming.
Nationwide, up-to-date information is unavailable due to the federal government shutdown. But September’s report from the Dept. of Labor showed year-to-date increases in both those who want a job and the long-term unemployed. On Monday, financial services company Moody’s said the U.S. had “essentially no job growth” last month.
Here in Iola, 80 employees is a sizable number, and the loss will trickle down to our local economy. Those employees shopped in local stores, ate at local restaurants, and bought gas and groceries here.
IOLA didn’t ask for this. But our community will choose how we react.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” boxer Mike Tyson once said. True. So now what?
Sure, blame tariffs. Blame a lack of them. Blame Trump, or Biden, or Clinton. Blame China. Blame private equity. Pass the blame around, and see if you vindicated. The thrill won’t last long.
Because that’s not the issue. We now must summon our energies and forge ahead. We need answers: What do local industries need? What are their pain points?
The best way to create jobs is to protect the ones you already have, so we need to make sure we’re asking what Peerless, Russell Stover, Columbia Metal, Tramec, and others need.
As an individual, continue frequenting local businesses. Spend your money here first. Stop the online addiction; abandon Prime for a month and see what happens. (You’ll survive.)
Remember that our community is dealing with a psychological blow, so we need to help each other. Go to a football game. Get together with some friends. Smile. Refuse to fall into the doom spiral.
