Cowley First took the pulse of residents again to update the Vision 2020 strategic plan. Not much change form the 2005 results. Drugs and jobs still top the list of concerns. And of course people support expanded services and growth incentives, but don't really want to pay for them.
The attitudes of residents, though, seems upbeat and we take a pretty positive outlook on where we live and our quality of life, the exception being good job opportunities. You'd expect that in a recession. I was a bit surprised that education didn't get higher marks, I'm not so sure how "welcoming" Cowley County is to new residents, if you throw in the immigrant population. Accepting, maybe, but not really welcoming.
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I'm not so sure how "welcoming" Cowley County is to new residents, if you throw in the immigrant population. Accepting, maybe, but not really welcoming.
Was that part of the survey or did you just throw that in there?
I think the fate of the Aircraft industry - which is the #1 employer of Cowley County! Has the greatest potential to do economic harm. Cessena and Hawker are outsourcing and considering even moving from the area! (Cessena is moving parts to Mexico and Beech/Hawker may only have 30% of what it has now left in Wichita)
We have the potential to offset those losses should they occur by attracting new industry or encouraging the existing ones to grow!
It might take some cooperation between the cities, county and the State to provide incentives that
help us GROW as an area!
One area that is under developed is Strother Field!
Maybe some spec buildings or refubrishing of olders buildings which could then be leased might help attract some new business or industry to the area!
But with the present management and structure? I wouldn't bet on any significant change!
I think the real question that comes to mind?
Why can we invest in other areas (even as individuals seeking a return on that investment) but can't invest locally?
AND
Why don't people in other areas want to invest HERE?
"Why don't people in other areas want to invest HERE?"
Dunno. What has Ark City got to offer that Meridian MS, Tick Bite NC or Bug Tussle OK doesn't?
If you answer that with a no baloney answer that benefits industry, technology or distribution, you won't have to worry about development, it will happen.
Right now AC has high taxes, a challenged education system, is in a state with income tax and is fairly distant from convenient transportation. The interstate road access is on a toll road. Couple that with the municipal and county tax base attitude of "what's in it for us $ (first)?" and you have some real barriers to growth.
Now is a great time to fix this. There is very little investment going on nationwide, but there will be in the future. If AC can remove some of the barriers and come up with a good answer why Ark City is better for industry, technology or distribution then there might be a good chance of turning it around when America starts re-investing again.
Part of the problem is a complete lack of vision in the past. At one time the only vision was to make Ark City a social security retirement community.
(no, honest, I'm not kidding. It is true)
Although the retirees are the salt of the earth and very nice people, nobody thought a second about how neglecting the community development task of bringing in jobs which would bring in younger workers would affect the future.
The future is now here. Look around. Now what?
Time to find that previously unidentifiable appealing quantity that will give Ark City an advantage over other places.
It might have something to do with the railroad. Or an aviation military contract if the politicians will get off their butts and get back to the business of bringing home the Pork to Kansas.
Anyone remember Bob Dole?
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