Each year, Iola allocates roughly $45,000 to the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce and Thrive Allen County.
The question City Council members asked Monday, was whether the city is getting sufficient bang for its bucks.
For nearly 90 minutes, representatives from both entities detailed their missions, how theyve served the community and their goals for the future.
Speaking on behalf of the Chamber was Shilo Eggers, president of the Board of Directors. Bill Maness, economic development director and interim chief executive officer for Thrive, spoke for his organization.
While both are in a period of transition Eggers said the Chambers next executive director should be on board within the next month; Maness noted interviews are ongoing as well for Thrives next CEO both assured the Council their dedication to serve the community remains unwavering.
EGGERS kicked off the discussion by giving a state of the Chamber address.
In addition to the search for a new director, the Chamber has sold its old building on West Madison Avenue and relocated to an office in the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, saving the organization between $5,000 and $6,000 annually.
Eggers also spoke about a relaunch of the Chambers website and a new cell phone app for businesses to better promote their services and upcoming sales. In addition, the Chamber is in the midst of developing a visitors guide to Allen County, which will highlight attractions in and around the Iola area. She hopes to have the guide available by May.
MANESS pointed to strong economic indicators in Iola and Allen County. Sales tax revenues were up about $99,000 in Iola for 2018; $160,000 countywide. The countys ability to keep residents shopping locally and bring in out-of-county commerce also ranked among the best when compared to surrounding counties. And unemployment remains steady at 3.5 percent.
Not all was positive. While Allen County continues to draw workers from other counties evidence the area has a good job market the countys population continues to drop.
Were thankful for residents who do come to Allen County (to work), but we really need to figure out how to get them to live in Allen County, Maness said.
As for direct benefits, Maness pointed to Thrives role in bringing G&W Foods to Iola. The store, which opened in January 2018, was part of $2.5 million in new construction (including a nearby apartment complex built by Iola Industries), created 50 new jobs, and turned a blighted property the old Allen County Hospital site into a new business.
While it will take a few years for Iola to recoup abated property taxes courtesy of the citys neighborhood revitalization incentives G&W brought in $100,000 in utility sales in 2018.
There were other wins, Maness said, pointing to the opening of the Dollar Tree last year, which will generate more than $1 million in sales in its first year.
Thrive also remains active in seeing a Sleep Inn and Suites hotel built in Iola, as well as a new Ace Hardware store. Both are still very much alive, Maness said.
Thrive also assisted Sharon Whitworth in the sale of the old McGinty-Whitworth building downtown, he continued, which will lead to a new retail store on the square.
