McPherson County growth could impact Marion Co.
What appeared to be a gesture of good will and an effort to assist, Hillsboro resident Stan Thiessen offered a suggestion Monday to Marion County Commission regarding an economic development promotion.
Thiessen said he is a manager at Hospira Inc. of McPherson which is a $3.8 billion per year pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Thiessen said there was "quite an opportunity for Marion County" to promote itself because right now there was industrial growth in McPherson County.
A lot of Marion County residents are working in McPherson County, he said. Thiessen said McPherson County was second in wealth to Johnson County with substantial affluence in the county.
He continued that Marquette, Canton, and Galva are experiencing growth because of job growth in McPherson County.
"You have an opportunity to promote Marion County in that direction," Thiessen said. He used the example of Newton promoting itself to Wichita as a place to live. Great Bend is doing the same thing to McPherson and so should Marion County.
Commission chairman Randy Dallke said Marion County will be promoted through television advertising.
Thiessen said McPherson has a critical labor shortage with business expansion. Employees coming to McPherson will be looking for quality housing in and around McPherson, which includes Marion.
"The opportunity is there," he said.
