Business View Magazine | May 2019

273 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MAY 2019 and will go a long way in attracting both people and businesses,” Long avers. “Likewise, the things we do from the city standpoint have to be desirable to the people looking to locate here, be they residents or businesses. I formed a Mayor’s Youth Council to tap into the minds of our high school students to see what it will take for them to locate here upon college graduation. We are fortunate to have two Internet Service Providers offering gigabit speed internet in the city. Anyone can live here in small town America and work online anywhere in the world.” Regarding that greater world beyond Wabash, Long recounts that he recently spent a week in Japan and a week in China, visiting business and government officials in both countries and formalizing a Sister City relationship with Linhai, China. “I want to open Wabash to the world and the world to Wabash,” he declares. “So, in April of this year, we’ll have eight Japanese foreign exchange high school students coming to Wabash. We will send four students to Japan in July, and in August of this year, we’re slotted to have 20 Chinese middle school students come to Wabash. I think, to expose our local children to different cultures throughout the world not only benefits them, but their parents and everybody else, as well. In a small town, typically, the residents may not get outside the boundaries of their state, let alone their country. So, to be able to introduce that to them, I think will spur them to see other things and other cultures; I think it will be very interesting. When I was in the military I went to Europe, solely. I didn’t make it to the Far East, so this trip was an eye opener for me.” “In the next five years, I want to see realistic, continued growth in our schools, businesses, and population in the City of Wabash,” Long says in conclusion. “It took many years to get to the point we are now, and we have been rebounding to build ourselves back up. I have to continue this trend, not only for my children, but my grandchildren. We are slowing gaining momentum to do even greater things. Those outside of the community notice the improvements and frequently comment on the things that we have accomplished. Those who see the city everyday often don’t notice what is going on. So, I want them to realize that we are doing great things and are being recognized all over the State of Indiana for what we are accomplishing.” WABASH , INDI ANA pictured Modoc’s Coffee Shoppe and Apartments pictured Wabash High School