Regional group a good idea

Courier Editorial Board

May 07, 2008 10:45 pm

— In a competitive global economy, marketing and promotion is key. And working together can make those efforts pay off. That’s the idea behind a new initiative by a group of southern Iowa organizations determine to make this region a standout when it comes to economic development opportunities.
Opportunity Squared, comprised of different organizations from Albia, Bloomfield, Centerville, Fairfield, Oskaloosa, Pella, Sigourney and Ottumwa, are working together to spread the message that southern Iowa could serve as the home to new businesses, new initiatives and new ideas.
“A single county or town has a small voice,” said Roger Jones, executive director of Ottumwa Economic Development Corp. “The overwhelming trend is regionalism.”
He’s right. Opportunity Squared, we believe, could serve as the engine of southern Iowa’s economic train.
“There’s strength in numbers,” said Ottumwa City Administrator Joe Helfenberger, who attended the organization’s kickoff event. “You’re more likely to attract business by having a larger area. That gives them choice.”
The them, of course, are businesses and industries, developers and others who could help to grow southern Iowa.
Times are tough. But there are thriving companies that are growing and are in need of dedicated, hard-working employees.
We have that right here in southern Iowa, along with good local schools, a community college, recreational sites and cultural activities. Those quality of life issues, along with our collective desire to work together as a region, could impress potential employers to relocate or build here.
“This is the pooling of all these resources to promote our entire region,” said Ellen Foudree, director of Area 15 Regional Planning and the facilitator of Opportunity Squared. “We’ve been invisible too long and quiet too long.”
Southern Iowa’s time has come and this new organization, we hope, will move us toward a more prosperous future.