By OK, Emporia is in something of a crisis situation. City Manager Matt Zimmerman brought up the tornado comparison, saying that Emporia can rebound like Greensburg is doing.
On Friday, Emporia (pop. 26,456) was hit by, well, let’s call it an F-3 economic tornado: 1,500 jobs lost (which is, probably, ten percent of our work force.)
When a tornado strikes, however, you receive tangible help and sympathy. Hundreds of folks storm in from around the state to assist. With a tornado, you get bottled water, truckloads of used clothing, cash donations, a rush of kind-hearted clean-up workers.
We are getting help. U. S. Rep. Jerry Moran is doing what he can. State Rep. Don Hill and State Sen. Jim Barnett are on task. There will be a Rapid Response team to help workers find employment and relocate.
Realistically, the burden of solving this will be left up to Emporians. This is a time for us to band together. Every single person has a role to play.
There are two basic issues: 1) Helping our friends and neighbors, the unemployed Tyson workers and their families. 2) Keeping Emporia economically viable – which is in all of our best interests.
This situation can get worse, the ripple effect, if we don’t take immediate measures. We need to stop the bleeding now.
We can fix it. Emporians are Kansans, after all: strong-hearted, determined, responsible. People who live with the “perpetual wind to the face” can handle anything, I’d say.
So – what can we do to keep Emporia alive and well? I’m asking for your suggestions, dear readers, far and near. Those of you far away will have much to offer – we need an outside perspective here.
The only rule: responses should be of a positive, helpful nature.
What will keep Emporia going is hope. We need suggestions, we need ideas, we need jobs. If we get a list going, I’ll forward this to the city leaders.
Now I’m sure our city leaders are considering these very things, but I’ll throw them out anyway. Here are a few of my “Save Emporia” thoughts and ideas… please add yours …
* Priority One (obviously) – new jobs. Double, triple the workforce at the Regional Development Association. Get people on the phones, working old leads and new leads. And surely there’s a consultant we can bring in who does this regularly – resurrects towns after major layoffs.
* The Convention and Visitors Bureau does a good job of bringing people to town. Keep that up, bring in more. Keep promoting the W.A. White Historic Site and other attractions at every opportunity.
* ESU should increase efforts to bring in new students, which is a good thing anyway. Students will fill apartments, buy groceries and gas, help contribute to the economy. (It’s a win-win situation- they’ll get a good education.)
As individuals, what we can do:
* Do what we can for displaced workers. On the Gazette’s blog, AmberB, a 22-year-old laid off from Tyson, recently found out she’s pregnant. Throw her a baby shower; if you have baby items, donate them. If we see a need, fill it.
* Go out of your way to be kind these days. You don’t know who is hurting inside – probably most are. Smile at people on the sidewalk, in stores.
* Surely many Emporians have a relative or know someone in another town or state who is wanting to start, expand or relocate a business. Encourage that business to start here or pass the information on to the Regional Development Association.
* Stay hopeful and positive, for a couple reasons. One – we’re here, Emporia is our home. And it’s so much more fun to live in a place where people are pleasant and work together. Two – we can’t bring in students and new jobs if this town is full of whiny people who have given up hope.
* We ourselves need to keep in mind the many good things about Emporia: Emporia State University – our shining centerpiece, the renovation of the Granada is nearing completion, the Emporia Zoo, Peter Pan Park, the William Allen White State Historical Site, the Flint Hills just outside town, Amanda’s Bakery and Cafe, J’s Carryout, Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply …
* Shop Emporia. Period. When we spend our money here, tax dollars stay here, jobs stay here, money stays here. We need to save what businesses and jobs we have. We need the tax money to keep our city and county and school district running.
* We should also keep in mind that we, as individuals, as a community, have much to offer. We have what businesses/employers want: We are proud and able Kansans with a strong Midwestern work ethic. We are dependable workers, resilient, a friendly sort of people. We are independent and resourceful. This is a college town, a hometown, where 98% of the people you meet on the street will offer a greeting whether you know them or not.
We are smart people. We can make Emporia economically sound. We can make Emporia better than before.
Please add your suggestions….
I don’t have a lot of suggestions for Emporia right now, but keeping the Tyson workers, working seems to be the most important factor right now. Colby is building a new truck stop. We are a very small town (4,000 people) and do not have the work force for either the truck stop or WalMart. We have maybe 600 students at the Community college and they just can’t supply what is needed. Maybe we could offer employment in the short term anyway until Emporia bounces back with business of their own. It would be a change and a 5 hour move, but at least employment that isn’t so specialized that many of the workers could perform these skills with little trainng. Our best and brightest hopes and prayers are with Emporia as they rise again from this latest blow.
This may be unconventional but I think it has merit as a strategy.
The closure made a lot of national business press. I think the work force needs to command on-going national attention to keep America aware of the plight and keep business leaders aware of a ready workforce here in Emporia.
Some form of organized community service blitz should happen once a month after the closure. CSB #1, CSB #2, etc. This could be like a Christmas in April-type of thing which I think would attract national media attention and channel energy in a productive way. Materials purchased for the fix-ups would help our local economy and help spruce up the town.
The implicit message is positive and I think would aid the local leaders trying to attract new employers. As people find new jobs the numbers would reduce which would be reported by the media and would be a way for concerned citizens to understand what is happening to our neighbors.
Maybe this is off the wall.
Thanks for the jobs tip, Rita. That’s hopeful news. Colby would be a good town to live in.
And good ideas, Roger. …. We can show Emporia as a pro-active town – a place that takes action to help each other and help solve the problem, rather than spiraling into despair.
Employers should jump on the chance: Emporia is an opportunity waiting to happen.
For some reason, businesses across the country have a hard time getting capable workers. Emporia has them – ready, willing and able.
MIDWESTERN WORK ETHIC!
This is sort of a sideways thing, but part of the big picture maybe. LIke you suggested, keep Emporia’s culture rich and big. Make Emporia even more attractive and welcoming so that big companies will want to move here.
Step up the culture. Get as many regional artists of all types on the bandwagon. Have art shows, have exciting events such as concerts and plays. Present a richly exciting arts community. See if the Gazette will give some free advertising to people who will enrich the town’s culture. It’s here, in the entire region. Just gotta stoke the fire and make Emporia a center of that type of activity for the whole region.
How do all the entrances to the town look? Do they look clean, tidy and welcoming?
This is more than Emporia. This is a regional problem. This will affect real estate for miles around, not to mention other shopping in other nearby towns. So, it’s something that not just Emporia has to consider, but all of us. So, it behooves all of us to help, to think, to work on it.
People are attracted to active, happy towns.
One other thing. If it gets to the point where there are empty houses, if people would pitch in and keep the empty places mowed, weeded, and tidy, that would go a long ways. One landlord suffering from the ecomomic strain of losing renters if they move away, simply may not be able to keep up with all the property. It would help if people would help each other that way.
This may be a time when neighbors have to be extra supportive of one another, just to keep spirits high. ANd if we all make an effort to stay up, to extend ourselves, we can keep spirits high.
I liked all your ideas Cheryl. Am not going to repeat those. These were just my own thoughts on how to work on just one aspect of the solution.
Janet
You’re right, Janet, this is a regional issue. If 10 families with children leave Madison… or Americus … or Strong City/Cottonwood Falls that will impact those towns and the school.
The Granada and the new Arts Center (if that goes ahead) will draw people in. That has great potential for bringing people to town.
It’s beyond direct impact. There’s a trickle down effect that will affect the rest of us as well. We all need to work for all of us, all together.
I also was thinking that new arts, music, acting in a community playhouse setting would be great. Which is what the Granada will ultimately do, isn’t it?
Janet
Reinvent Emporia’s image!
Emporia has always sold itself as a “blue collar town.” To weather economic storms like the country (specifically Emporia) is facing, a healthy balance is needed. William Allen White knew that, and he strived to encourage that balance through his writings.
Instead of only designating certains tracts of land for industrial use, the city needs to think bigger. For the past several years, the city has debated an appropriate use for the former C of E campus. Those empty buildings, with tax investment into their rehabilitation, could easily become the homes of regional offices for larger corporations.
Sometimes, corporations prefer to build new buildings while still investing in a city’s urban core (a new trend that inspires me). So, what about those often empty surface parking lots on Merchant and Mechanic Streets? Parking garages are often built along with new buildings.
And, don’t forget to stay positive, open minded and never to point fingers. Make a cake, sit down together and collaborate ideas into one sustainable plan for the city’s future!
Expanding the VO-tech school in Emporia would also meet needs of educating people with skills to meet job demands & educate those who need jobs & bring others to Emporia for that training!
Vo-tech at this time in Emporia I believe is giving classes that are not given any where else in the state & the training is needed for specialized jobs in the work force! Not everyone has the means to go to college nor wants to- But the Vo-Tech is meeting a great demand & could be expanded to meet even more training needs for the state!
http://www.kansas.com:80/news/v-print/story/294151.html
Emporia is at a crossroads, in more than one meaning of the word. Yes, the crossroads of major interstates leading to major cities – an asset, by the way, but also a crossroads of its place in history – an even larger asset, as long as you allow yourself to see the current situation in that way.
The community needs to recognize that it is no longer the same quaint little Norman Rockwell-esque town that it used to be in the 1950’s. There are over 26,000 citizens in the city, not exactly a small town anymore. And, there are 35,000 persons in the county – Emporia needs to begin using the word “community” and not “city,” as I see all of Lyon County as one team fully dependent upon all corners of the “large rectangle.” Finally, with 6,000 students at the university, the community has a benefit of new faces and talents continually coming into the community who could potentially stay for the long haul. The community is crossing into a new category; size, demographics, possibilities, etc. The Cleavers and the Nelsons would no longer recognize Emporia.
Which is better: a “can-do” spirit or an “oh whoa is me” mentally that prolongs? Don’t focus on the past. In fact, burn that nostalgic bridge from your memory. What sustained the community in the past most likely will not carry you into the future.
I recognize San Francisco and Emporia are complete opposites in terms of size. However, Emporia would do well to learn a lesson from “The Paris of the Pacific.” The city rebuilt itself from a major quake and fire in 1906. And recently, it again had to reinvent itself. The Bay Area had dismal growth and opportunities until the 1990’s when high-tech developed into a major industry for the world, and a big piece of this community’s economic pie chart. All thanks to those who had the desire to think big and dream of “what could be.” Then, those same entrepreneurial spirits lead to investments in biotechnology. Today, San Francisco is the leader in the field for this research.
Okay, so Emporia will not see Google, Apple and Hewlett-Packard relocating to the city limits. But, other opportunities do exist as long as the citizens allow themselves to consider all possibilities. Reusable energy is going to become a major industry in this country, and should the Democrats reign in the Capitol and the White House, this will become a major initiative for government and independent investors. Emporia overlooked a major opportunity a few years ago by not seriously considering wind turbines to be built in the county. I’d be willing to bet money that offer is still good if someone would have the bravery to the lead the endeavor. That’s just one example, and many more are out there.
Most importantly, don’t become a “cookie-cutter” city. Don’t attempt to mirror the industries found in cities such as Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, Ottawa, etc. To imitate another is only to be second best. Be different, make certain Lyon County offers something others cannot or do not. Be original.
Well it sounds like Wayward Son needs to come home and be a leader here! You have great positve things to say and excellent suggestions. I’m impressed by your knowledge and enthusiasm, escpecially since you are so young. You will go a long way in this world buddy. Ever think of going into politics? I’d vote for ya. I agree with the C of E proposal. Isn’t it close to the hospital? It would make excellent Dr offices with a little tweeking. I’m thinking Specialty Drs. Plastic surgery, dermatology, spine and joint docs. America wants to stay young- cash in on it while you can.
I always thought that ESU could expand into those buildings too, or the vo-tech could do IT training in them. The nursing program- a Med tech program would be great, Xray schools and respiratory therapy, physical therapy, sports med – all these fields have a shortage and need more schools in a central location to supply the people to fill the jobs. Health care will always be a lucrative area-people are always going to get sick.
I agree with you April. I think WaywardSon needs to take a year’s sabbatical and come back home. Isn’t it strange, that in order to do that you would actually need money to live on? Hmmm! Sounds good, anyway.
I can’t believe if I thought of this several other people in economic development haven’t also had the same thought: how about a grocery warehouse in the Tyson plant. Plenty of cold storage, take out the slaughter machinery and plenty of space to store lots of stuff. Railroad could bring it in, trucks could haul it out. Good use of the building, railroad and the trucking industry. This would assume Tyson would close up completely if their building was used, but there apparently are several other large buildings available. Maybe the government could pitch in and involve the railroads and give incentives to trucking companies.