tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post913328884488974993..comments2023-08-25T05:18:29.312-06:00Comments on Madville Times: Local Economy: No Madison Momentum into Holiday Seasoncaheidelbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-13570814896511468462009-12-05T10:30:25.580-07:002009-12-05T10:30:25.580-07:00Rod, I offer this suggestion with no snark toward ...Rod, I offer this suggestion with no snark toward you whatsoever: we should reduce the number of insurance agents in town by at least one: throw you out of your office... and put you in charge of the LAIC. You are reading and researching (that <a href="http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912040309" rel="nofollow">Anna Bahney writes some good stuff</a>), you are questioning the status quo, and you are offering practical ideas (even if they do include that darned call center you'd like to snag). I hate to hitch our star totally to the secondary/support model and relying on Sioux Falls's success; we need to keep looking for the things we can do on our own for independent success and economic security. But we're silly not to take what advantage we can of the big economic engine just down the road.<br /><br />Maybe I'll end up on board with the Highway 34 expansion project yet: tie it to industrial expansion at James River Equipment, get them to start selling John Deere wind turbines, get Dakota Ethanol to expand its operations to produce cellulosic ethanol....caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-40367449535001197082009-12-04T09:42:17.757-07:002009-12-04T09:42:17.757-07:00Cory: Today's Argus Leader, page 6B, discusse...Cory: Today's Argus Leader, page 6B, discusses Future Sioux Falls' plan to attract viable businesses and services. This is timely, as we're all wondering which types of business or services to attract, and who will grow coming out of the recession.<br /><br />Four key areas of growth include 1) Medical Research, 2) Wind Turbine and Bio Fuels, 3) Warehouse & Distribution and 4) Corporate and Data Services including skilled financial customer care and information assurance centers.<br /><br />I hope LAIC and its board pay close attention to the results of this $200,000 project, as Sioux Falls' results mirror our future as well. Can we provide land, buildings and employees locally who can enhance the employers Sioux Falls is attracting?<br /><br />The game has changed and we have to be willing to change quickly to adjust to the market and grow jobs and income in Lake County. Perhaps we are evolving into a secondary or support job provider rather than primary.GoldManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043482376424174413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-5535155278283482402009-12-04T08:38:07.410-07:002009-12-04T08:38:07.410-07:00Competition as a driver of growth: hear hear!
And...Competition as a driver of growth: hear hear!<br /><br />And too many insurance agents? I'll resist my urge to spin a variation of "too many lawyers" jokes. How'd we get all these agents? Is there less entry cost to starting one's own insurance business than other ventures?caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-49095525471985899822009-12-03T11:58:55.945-07:002009-12-03T11:58:55.945-07:00We're certainly in a period of flux right now,...We're certainly in a period of flux right now, economically. The decline in primary and secondary jobs in Madison is the number one reason sales are down. <br /><br />Internet sales are cutting into local taxable sales and state sales tax revenue in a larger way than most are willing to admit. The State and Cities need to legislate collection of those vital sales tax dollars from internet retailers. It's costing us millions each year in South Dakota.<br /><br />Competition and consumer choice are two components that have trended against us in the last ten years. We had three grocery stores, but now have one. We had a half-dozen women's clothing stores, but now have one plus the chain stores. Two lumberyards dwindled to just one. We had four new car dealers, but now have one. <br /><br />I think many people are really trying to shop at home, to keep the dollars circullating, but our consumer choices are more limited than ever. Shoppers require choices, and if your hometown doesn't provide enough choices, people go elsewhere to compare. <br /><br />This ship can sail strong again, but we need new jobs, more jobs, a second grocery store and more retail choices on mainstreet. We also need a plan with teeth and measurable goals. <br /><br />Gehl has had the largest ripple effect on Madison since John Morrell closed in the 60's. It not only affected hundreds of families, it affected several related firms who relied on Gehl for most of their work.<br /><br />One area that hasn't declined is the number of insurance agents in Madison. Do we really need 25 agents in a town of 6000?GoldManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043482376424174413noreply@blogger.com