Iola and Iola Industries each recently increased support of the Allen County Economic Development Committee from $15,000 in 2013 to $20,000 for this year.
A week ago Allen County commissioners decided the $10,000 they contributed last year was enough, even though the county has another $10,000 tucked away in its budget for economic development.
The county economic development group is under auspices of Thrive Allen County. Among other things accomplished in 2013, it had a prominent role in keeping Catalyst (formerly 2R Tool, Humboldt) in the county with a move to the old Haldex plant at the north edge of Iola. That meant 23 jobs were retained, rather than moved to Texas, where Catalyst’s parent company is headquartered. Catalyst also has committed to 100 new jobs with its move to more spacious quarters.
An outcome county commissioners should consider is that the committee’s first year was a trial run, which made evident to members that the process was much more time-intensive than anticipated, and consequently required more funding.
After county commissioners decided not to increase their contribution, County Counselor Alan Weber urged them to reconsider. He understands that if development is to be spurred it won’t come on the cheap.
Commissioners will discuss their financial stake in economic development again when they meet Tuesday morning.
It is notable there will be a strong tendency to use the $40,000 sent the development group’s way by Iola and Iola Industries to focus on the funding community. That means the rest of the county, including Humboldt, Moran, Gas, LaHarpe, Carlyle, Mildred, Elsmore, Savonburg and Petrolia, will be the focal point of the county’s contribution, $10,000. In real terms that isn’t much, spread over nine communities, a vast rural area and 12 months.
Unless commissioners have specific thoughts about what to do with the banked $10,000 — none has been mentioned — it would serve the county and its citizens better if it were injected immediately in the economic development stream.
— Bob Johnson
You get what you pay for
