HUMBOLDT — Humboldt joined the economic development group spearheaded by Thrive Allen County at its meeting Monday evening.
“There’s power in numbers,” said Mayor Nobby Davis.
Humboldt agreed to pay $10,000 a year for the services of Jonathan Goering, Thrive’s economic development director. Also on board since 2013 are Iola, Allen County and Iola Industries. Those three groups chip in $20,0000 apiece.
It’s not necessarily a new relationship, said Cole Herder, Humboldt city administrator.
“For the past several years we’ve been taking advantage of Thrive’s economic development arm,” he said.
“I feel like this is a good time for Humboldt to get on board and be a participant, not just a guest.
We have an industrial park for which I don’t have the expertise or time to recruit businesses.
It requires Jonathan’s know-how to do something like that.”
LISSE REGEHR, Thrive president and CEO, told the council that its economic development arm is a “great way to develop cross-country collaboration.”
Thrive’s success in attracting new business includes G&W Foods, Velo Bike Shop (now Southwind Cycle and Outdoors) Eastgate Lofts, the transition of Stubs Market to the Marmaton Market Co-op, and Green CoverSeed.
Herder chimed in, “You know, we’re not used to working together on stuff. This is teaching me we just have to trust each other.”
Regehr updated council members on some of Thrive’s most recent endeavors.
Top of the list is its ability to be the crucial link for area small business owners to access federal funds to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regehr credited Jessica Thompson, Thrive’s director of development, for seeing that Allen County is competitive for myriad grants.
Thrive is currently administering a $2.4 million SPARK CARES grant it secured for the county. Of that, 39 small businesses and organizations have qualified to receive $7,500 apiece, for a total of $292,500.
“Everyone that applied will receive funds. We feel really good about that,” said Herder, who served on a committee to help oversee the grant’s distribution.
