OTTUMWA —
The city and the county agree: If you want decent jobs here, you need to have what companies are looking for.
That’s one of the reasons given by the Ottumwa City Council and the Wapello County Board of Supervisors for agreeing to help bring fiber optics, a high-speed, ultra-modern computer service, to the area.
The groups were asked to kick in $5,000 each toward the first step. A study to figure out what we have, what we need and how we’re going to get it.
David Barajas Jr., director of Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation, went to both boards this week to ask for a contribution. His agency helps bring jobs to the area by recruiting new companies or by helping existing businesses expand.
The study will cost about $42,000. He now has a promise of $10,000 toward the research.
“This is helpful to David as he is going forward to meet with potential new businesses,” said Brad Little, CEO of the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation.
He said his own nonprofit was offering support to Barajas’ plan because it improved infrastructure and the opportunity for more employment.
“These communication tools are as vital as railroad or the Interstate Highway [System],” said County Supervisor Greg Kenning on Tuesday.
Barajas said when railroad tracks were first being built in this country, it was expensive. But where the railroad went, commerce followed.
Supervisor Jerry Parker voted in favor of supporting the study. In fact, the votes were unanimous from the supervisors and the council. But first, Parker wanted to know what was going to happen with the study.
He said he’s seen a lot of studies over the year. Many of them, even ones done well, end up going nowhere.
“I guarantee you that is not going to happen [where the study] sits on a shelf gathering dust,” Barajas said.
Because to move forward as a community, and to be competitive as a place to invest, we must meet some basic requirements — access to transportation, like a highway, railroad or airport, for example.
Now, one of those necessities is heavy duty broadband, which can serve businesses.
Having the study completed can tell leaders what’s needed, but can also be used in grant applications as the community looks for assistance modernizing its Internet capabilities. This is not going to be a cheap project, or a quick one, Barajas said, but it is an important one.
“Companies [already] here are telling me they need this,” he added. “Our number one priority is ... supporting existing businesses in the community. Bringing in new business, that seems to be the more glamorous part of economic development. But 80 to 85 percent of new jobs come from businesses that are already here.”
That’s what Fairfield and Oskaloosa do, Barajas said. They currently have fiber optics for everyone.
“I think this would benefit every business in town,” said Supervisor Steve Siegel, “and potentially every home in the community.”
Local News
September 26, 2012
Pursuing tools vital to business
Supervisors, community leaders: High-speed, modern computer service equals economic growth
- Local News
-
-
Ottumwan bound for Oklahoma
OTTUMWA — “We do this because we love it; we love helping people through those tough times.” That’s the message from Brandon Holstrom who will travel to Moore, Okla. today to help those impacted by the tornado that has devastated that community. Hols
- Celebrating Eldon ELDON -- The annual festival celebrating the town of less than 1,000 ties the community's bonds tighter through a weekend of music, food, performances and tournaments. American Gothic Days will take over Eldon again June 7-9. "It's the town festival,
- Lawmakers: We work together for change DES MOINES — State representatives sounded happy Thursday after their session finally ended. But they weren't just happy to be going home. “I think it was a very successful session, where we kept the budget to a sustainable level,” said Larry Sheets,
- Memorial Day weekend typically calm for parks, law enforcement OTTUMWA — With summer unofficially kicking off this weekend, area officials ask those celebrating the holiday to have fun but stay safe. Parks Director Gene Rathje said while camping in Ottumwa Park began on April 1, this weekend is the site's first
- EBF students engage in community service EDDYVILLE - The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont School Board learned this week about community service work students recently completed throughout the area. "The students did a great job. They were engaged in some service learning opportunities in Fremo
- Iowa school reform to be optional DES MOINES -- State officials hope educators, students and parents soon start seeing changes in the classroom. But only if they want to. Parts of Gov. Terry Branstad's "blueprint for education" have been approved. But like most major issues during th
-
Missing teen located, returned home
SIGOURNEY — The 13-year-old girl reported missing from Hedrick on Monday has been found. The teenager, Hunter Kopp, was located at a Sigourney residence around 10 p.m. Wednesday, said Keokuk County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Runnells. "The officers last nig
-
Ottumwa man charged with indecent exposure
OTTUMWA -- A man has been charged with indecent exposure after passers-by noticed a teenage girl in distress Monday afternoon. Angelo Nick Orfanos, 28, of Ottumwa, was charged with indecent exposure Wednesday as a result of an Ottumwa Police Departme
-
Stabbing trial pushed back
OTTUMWA -- The trial of an Ottumwa man accused of stabbing another man to death has been pushed back. Twenty-year-old Brandon Seim was charged in November 2011, when he was 18, with the stabbing death of Andy Madren, 34. When officers arrived at the
- Clarification ELDON -- It looked even worse in the light of day. A Wapello County farm damaged by high winds in the storm this week, neighbors had first believed, suffered some damage. But the situation is even worse, Eldon's mayor informed the Courier, saying tha
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ottumwan bound for Oklahoma
