Kind of neat that fancy New York City restaurants think Creekstone beef is the steak of choice. The NYTimes story is the kind of publicity that money can't buy. Creekstone really has carved that niche of premium beef. Wish we could get it more easily right here in Cowley County!
I also like that it gives some recognition to a company that is, let's be honest, maligned my some local residents because of the immigrant make up of its workforce. I hope that the workers there take some pride in this success. Not saying there isn't some downsides to using immigrant labor, but all in all, would Ark City be better off if that land where still wheat and we had 700-900 smaller workforce in Cowley County?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Too bad AC and the local community doesn't support Creekstone. NY Times does an article on our small plant but our local media doesn't. Seriously how come????? I mean you guys sure didn't do any write up....I'm guessing someone had to point it out to you. And FYI try WB Meats they carry Creekstone beef. Perhaps Mr. Editor you should do your research!
"I hope that the workers there take some pride in this success."
Does the NY Times put out a spanish edition?
"Not saying there isn't some downsides to using immigrant labor, but all in all, would Ark City be better off if that land where still wheat and we had 700-900 smaller workforce in Cowley County?"
Yes! We would sure have a lower crime rate.
Read it first on NewsCow. The REAL news source in Cowley County.
Ok there have been so many bigoted comments about the crime rate. Show us the numbers. Show us how the job expansion has been a major contributor to crime. Because I don't see it. What crime?
ACPD has been touting crime numbers for the past two decades in order to access more federal grant monies.
We have been reading about meth labs since 1995. We boasted then about having the highest number of meth labs in the state.
When you think about it, AC BOASTS about drug problems, need extra help for alcohol problems, celebrate funds for teen truancy problems, ask for funds for teen pregnancy problems, need a drug for the public schools and for the college campus, are so short of staff for ALL THE CRIME that they can't work a simple auto accident or give a lost child a ride home.
Then, of course, we have all these illegal immigrants that are destroying the city according to the imaginations of the conservative fearful. I hear they have brought violent gangs and smuggle drugs and of course are just brimming over with disease. It's a wonder we don't have to call CDC for support.
Does anyone wonder why we have trouble marketing ourselves as a destination for new familiesor employers. I cannot imagine why we would think anyone would WANT TO come to a place with all the PROBLEMS that litter our local headlines.
Add in the blogs and all the foolish comments about corruption in local government and the pot shots that people take at each other and we should be grateful that we aren't watshing people leave in bus loads faster than the hurricane Katrina victims.
Now, tell me again why we think people want to move to Arkansas City?
Ok, I agree that we aren't a friendly or inviting community. However, all aren't necessarily marching out in cadence.
Attrition makes a huge difference. Part of what sustains a population is mortality and average family size. Some did not move away. They died.
People have smaller families now. Of course it's a bit difficult to gauge that since we have so many non-traditional families including single parents or grandparents as primary care providers.
Sadly, for Arkansas City, it has this tendency to be in denial that a packing house has always been the foundation of the community. Rodeo, John Morrell and even those pirates that operated ACPC have been the census stabilizing influence.
When the packing houses have thrived, the community has bustled. When we lost our packing house, our population cavitated. We will recover based on the ability of Creekstone to sustain and then grow.
I know people want more sexy employers such as the techno jobs but, folks, it just ain’t who we are. Our topography, our waterfront location (and regional location for livestock and feed) as well as our sustainable workforce says we should stop griping and become the best packing house community in the nation.
That is how we will grow. Support the growth of Creekstone. Treat the workers with some respect and court them as consumers of perishable as well as big ticket items.
One of the most powerful families in this community - the Avery's benefitted and amassed their wealth from the John Morrell owned packing house.
The next best resource we have is being the home base for the community college. Talk about a magnet for ethnic diversity and a training ground for an employee base. Get on board folks. Don't let NYC celebrate who we are more than AC does.
All successful cities across this nation know you don't look a gift (payroll) horse in the mouth.
Post a Comment