How does the Manhattan area compare to other regions around the country when it comes to attracting new businesses?
Pretty well, but there are some problems worth talking about.
Thats the upshot from a presentation by an expert at the annual retreat put on by the chambers of commerce from Manhattan, Junction City and Wamego. The expert, Deane Foote, is in the business of helping companies select new locations, so this sort of comparison is what he does for a living.
He was impressed, he said, by the fact that regional leaders regularly get together to work on their common interests as evidenced by the very existence of the retreat. Coming together as a region is really exciting. Thats the way to sell your area. Theres no question about that.
Other strengths include the regions location in the middle of the country, close to the interstate highway and wage levels being relatively low. (Thats good for potential employers, since they know they wont have to pay too much to hire people.) The K-State research park, with its proximity to the university, is also a real strength, he said.
Problems should not be surprising: The cost of housing for executive-type residences is quite a bit higher than competing cities like Columbia, Mo., or Des Moines, Iowa. The cost of living here is also higher than elsewhere, Mr. Foote said. And theres a lack of large industrial sites available.
What to do about those things? Thats pretty simple: Build more housing to bring down the cost. Keep taxes under control and encourage competition, which should help bring down the cost of living. And use economic development programs to target and assemble industrial parcels, where its possible. These are not impossible problems.
Many of those solutions, though, have to be done on a regional basis. Its gratifying that Mr. Foote and others see the value of regional cooperation. Its also helpful that he points out the problems.
Lyle Butler, the retiring head of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, has helped lead the push toward regional cooperation. Its important that his successor, who you can read more about on todays front page, carry that on and to leverage the strengths already here. Its also important for the entire community to think clearly about the problems and how to best attack them.
