Sherrer credits community for new industrial park
Marion residents showed great vision when they approved funding for an expanded industrial park, Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer said Tuesday.
"You invested in the future," he said. "Your children and grandchildren will be grateful for your commitment."
About 50 people attended the ceremony Tuesday, held to mark completion of the first phase of Batt Industrial Park.
A portion of the park has utilities, streets, and drainage in place, funded by a city sales tax. City officials say this makes it more likely to attract stable businesses because the infrastructure is in place.
"I can't make a community better, but I can help if they have a plan to make their community a better place to live," Sherrer said. "I'm really proud of what you've done. This is exceptional."
Only two types of small communities remain, Sherrer said: those investing in the future, and "those without a future."
"You can't do it with hope," he said. "You have to work, sacrifice, and invest."
Sherrer defended the role of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing. In addition to his role as lieutenant governor, Sherrer heads the department.
He said the department played a critical role in creating 79,000 jobs and more than $500 million in capital investment in the state.
"The bad news is that most of that is occurring in our urban areas," Sherrer said. "We have serious, serious issues in urban Kansas."
The department tried to get funding this year for rural economic development issues but none were approved.
"It's about bringing it to the attention of the majority of our legislators, and the leadership, that this is important," Sherrer said. "Some of our communities don't have the resources to rebuild all by themselves."
Sherrer said the community of Quinter recently invited him to a celebration after completing several community rehabilitation and improvement projects. They credited KDOC&H with expanding local employment by four percent.
"Take that to Wichita and it's huge," Sherrer said. "The impact, percentage-wise, is the same."
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Alex H. Case, representing the Marion Economic Development Advisory Committee, said the community needed to spread the word about Marion. Aspects such as the hospital, schools, recreation, and the industrial park make the community a wise choice for business owners and investors. However, they need to hear about it.
"We all need to be ambassadors for Marion," he said. "We all need to actively recruit new businesses."
Even if people contacted say no, they may know of another business owner interested in expanding, he said.
The event closed with certificates presented to businesses in place for 10 years or more. About 50 were recognized.
Those with the longest tenure were Case and Son Insurance, 135 years; Marion County Record, 133; Hannaford Abstract and Title, 131; and Scully Estates, 120.
