involvement task force. We have Iola Industries. We have a good working relationship where things are happening for the good, so we don’t get left behind by all the bigger cities that are near us.” This collaborative spirit is helping to shape Iola’s future, from housing, business development and infrastructure projects, to health and recreation options. A FOCUS ON GROWTH AND VITALITY When it comes to economic growth, Camille Lavon, Director of Economic Development, says the city’s approach is multi-layered, balancing prospects for entrepreneurs and industry.“We can’t really talk about economic development without also talking about growth and vitality,” she stresses. “We have several pipelines for small industry currently coming into the community, and a lot of exciting opportunities for small businesses looking to situate.” Lavon points to the downtown corridor as a hub for local business.“We are really promoting the strength that we have here. We have local suppliers, and local owners. We have a lot of different programs, like Network Kansas, in the community that really strengthen the vitality of that pipeline and really situate these small businesses into the fabric of our community,” she says. Iola’s downtown is not organized around a single Main Street but around its historic courthouse square, named after presidents Madison, Jefferson, Jackson, and Washington. City Administrator Matt Rehder says that recent investments in infrastructure and beautification have been completed on three sides, while the last section is currently underway. He recounts,“The south end of the square is Madison, and it’s a state highway that’s not in great shape.That is going to be torn up here in a matter of months for a needed complete rebuild. The base of the road is in bad shape, so we need to tear it down all the way to the base and then build it back out. As part of that we’re going to do some streetscaping and some water line work.” While the city focuses on growth and revitalization, commercial developers are diversifying downtown spaces with a focus on mixed use. “No matter what happens with the future of this economy, this is the kind of community that is extremely resilient, and because it hasn’t always been easy, they’ve been able to build up the capacity and the process and the plans to make sure that no matter where our country and our community goes, we will always be strong,” Lavon asserts. To incentivize development the city is offering 155 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 IOLA, KS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx