Residents need to buy in to county vision for success
Staff reporter
The chicken and the egg theory was not resolved Thursday evening during a public hearing, hosted by Marion County Commission, to discuss a county economic development position.
Some of the 25 in attendance, mostly city officials and members of Marion County Economic Development Council, said the county needed to determine goals and vision for the county before determining the duties of an economic developer. Others said there was a more immediate need to fill the new position.
The majority in attendance appeared to agree that the position is necessary but in order to be successful the majority of county residents need to support it.
"We need a vision everybody can buy into," said Hillsboro City Administrator Steve Garrett. "We can hang together or hang separately but we lack common goals."
Megan Kilgore of Hillsboro Management Board suggested a consultant be hired to figure out the development needs of the county and determine the job description.
Competition between communities, particularly Marion and Hillsboro, was noted.
"I've noticed territoryism and lack of cooperation between the two larger communities," said Jim Elliott, chairman of Leadership Marion County. "We need someone to collaborate efforts."
Elliott further said the county does not have a "clear vision."
He recommended a consultant be hired to help facilitate a visionary program.
"Without collaboration it would be frustrating for a (economic development) person coming in," Elliott added.
Kilgore also recommended the commission define economic development and "go back to square one" and identify goals and vision.
Commissioner Randy Dallke asked if Kansas Department of Commerce could provide consulting to the county. Kilgore responded that the representative for Marion County from the department, Rod Weinmeister, could provide economic development training to groups but wasn't aware of consultations.
Not every city has same needs
Peggy Jay, mayor of Goessel, said her city's issue is housing.
"Goessel doesn't have the infrastructure for a lot of development," she said, "but we need assistance to enhance existing businesses and also need to address housing issues."
For the City of Marion, Jami Williams, the city's economic development director, sees the role of county economic development professional differently. A county office could take out-of-county contacts.
"This also would benefit towns without (economic development) directors," she added.
Jim Novak, owner of Kingfisher Steakhouse & Lounge that is located at Marion County Park & Lake which is not within a city, said an economic development director could have significantly helped him with his business.
"The economic development person needs to be a trainer," said Novak. He added that every city and county employee needs to be an economic development advocate.
"A coordinator could have opened my eyes to how to start the business and reduced the hurdles," he said.
Jim and wife Tina recently appeared before the commission regarding zoning issues they were encountering with a planned expansion of outdoor eating.
Tina Groening of Marion and a member of Marion County Economic Development Council, said Mickey Fornaro Dean, director of Harvey County Economic Development Council, had told the council that her job was to take information about new businesses to those communities suited for the development. Her role as county developer was to coordinate with community economic development people.
Individual needs of each city needs to be considered, said Marion Chamber of Commerce executive secretary Margo Yates.
Groening suggested contacting the city clerks of the smaller communities for input.
Who should be hired?
"Economic development is a process and not a person," said Garrett. "A process or a program needs to be set up before the person is hired."
The "perfect person" could be hired, he continued, but the program needs to stand on its own. The visioning process is very important, he added.
Kilgore said the person hired needs to have experience, otherwise the county is setting up for failure.
Novak said someone from outside the county would use this job as a stepping stone to a better job and eventually leave the county.
"We need to hire someone with ties and interest in the county," he added.
Hillsboro City Councilman Len Coryea said it's OK to hire someone who may not stay for a long period of time.
"We recognize that people do move on and it's not that bad," he said. "The only way they can move on is if they're successful."
"Passion and drive" are more important traits than experience, said Marion City Administrator David Mayfield. He said an economic development professional can be trained within four months.
Commissioner Bob Hein said the salary would probably be $75,000-$80,000 per year plus an operating budget.
Yates said the position has to be full time.
"Don't set a salary," said Yates. "Set it up on an incentive basis."
Kilgore disagreed with the concept because she said it would be difficult to measure.
Mayfield agreed with Kilgore.
"There are going to be times the person will work behind the scenes," he said. "How can you measure that? The economic development person has to help us keep what we've got."
Mayfield continued there should be a board of directors for the economic development professional to answer to but did not think it should be Marion County Economic Development Council.
Membership on the council is based on population of communities, with Marion and Hillsboro having the most representatives. Some communities do not have any representatives.
"It should be a council member or mayor from each city," Mayfield suggested.
Nick Nickelson of Marion said he has traveled extensively and has talked with communities about economic development issues.
"Most counties have a non-profit corporation with a staff and council," said Nickelson. "I don't know if Marion County is ready for that."
Commission chairman Dan Holub asked if city economic development professionals could assist those cities within the county without professionals.
Williams said she contacted Florence with a prospective business that was a better fit for Florence than for Marion but she wasn't sure if her role was to go to Florence and help them attain the business.
A survey was sent to Marion County residents a year ago to ask for input regarding a variety of issues that included economic development. The county's comprehensive plan has been updated on a regular basis with more sessions being planned with the county's consultant.
Leadership Marion County has incorporated visioning within its curriculum for those taking the classes. Garrett and Joanna Brazil, Peabody Main Street Director, are certified trainers.
Preliminary county funds have been set aside for an economic development department with more funds available as needed.
What's next?
By the end of the evening, several issues and possible solutions were identified.
— Rod Weinmeister of Kansas Department of Commerce will be contacted regarding information about economic development training and goals.
— The commission will consider a process to set goals and create a vision for the county.
— Economic development needs to be defined and communities' needs identified.
"Hillsboro and Marion can accommodate businesses and employees can live in the smaller communities," said Novak. "Just because the jobs are there (in each individual community), it doesn't mean the communities don't benefit."
Brazil asked the group if there is true support and cooperation.
"When we leave this room, do we really support each other? County economic development is a great idea but I think it's doomed," she said. "People think one town may get more than another. We're treating the symptoms but not curing the illness. There is a mind set that is keeping us from success."
Brazil said she thinks money would be better spent on a grassroots program through Leadership Marion County.
Marion Mayor Martin Tice recalled the City of Marion's recent experiences of hiring an economic development director and said there aren't that many qualified economic development professionals available for open positions.
"Most who qualify do not want to come to Marion County for the low pay," said Tice. "We like to study everything to death. It's time to quit talking and do something."
