OTTUMWA — Jobs and electricity. Those are two important components of most citizens’ lives.

Representatives from Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation and Alliant Energy recently updated the Ottumwa City Council on their efforts and presence in the community.

OEDC Director Roger Jones said the organization’s main job is to “bring jobs to the city.” Most of his leads are from Area 15 and inquiries usually include a need for existing buildings.

Jones said the city is still “in the running” for two manufacturing businesses — windtower components and experimental airplanes.

“Sears may open a store here and I hope to see the appliance-sized Sears,” Jones said.

OEDC makes numerous calls to businesses in targeted areas and asks if they “are planning to expand in the Midwest.

“Lately, we’re lucky to get two answers out of 100 calls but we think it’s great when anyone calls back,” he said. “We have our targeted communities and we’re working hard on those.”

Jones said OEDC also contacts leaders of existing businesses two or three times a week to ask about their concerns and plans.

Mayor Dale Uehling said “retaining business is important.”

“Eighty percent of the city’s growth has come from retaining businesses,” he added.

Jones is also working with “Opportunity Squared” and OEDC is no longer part of the River Hills Initiative or the Southeast Iowa Manufacturers Consortium. OEDC has retained contact with Indian Hills Initiative and Mick Lawson of IHCC assists with the OEDC Web site.

“We’re still streamlining our Web site, which is a top marketing tool these days,” Jones said.

“Ottumwa Trends” is still ongoing and he hopes the online publication “provides valuable information to citizens.” (Online at opportunitysquared.com)

“We do have some success — unemployment is down and the majority of business is up,” Jones said.

All citizens wants the power to be there when they flip the switch. Alliant Energy contributed $6,095,387 in “electric infrastructure investments” in Ottumwa during a five-year period (2005-07), according to Laurie Appleget, an Alliant strategic accounts manager.