Letter To The Editor: Those That Are Winning The Intense Competition

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

I am writing this letter as I sit at the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s annual SMART Conference, the premier economic development conference in the state. It has been a great time to collaborate with fellow economic developers from around the state and to listen to innovators from across the country. Those of us in attendance are discussing and wrestling with the best and most creative ways to grow our communities. We are looking at how to overcome obstacles and create space for businesses to thrive. Although all of us here are peers and colleagues, we are also fierce competitors because we know that we are in a struggle for survival.

Throughout these discussions, several consistent themes come up. The communities that are growing economically – those that are winning the intense competition – are all doing the same things: they embrace change, they attract talented people, and they invest in themselves. If our community of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County wants to succeed today and in the future, those are the things that we need to do. If we rely on old ways of doing business, fail to create a community that attracts talented people, or neglect investing in quality facilities, we will set ourselves up for decline.

Through these discussions with my peers, it has become even more apparent that we must vote YES on May 3. Most communities around the state are jealous of the opportunity we have with this vote. Voting YES gives us a competitive advantage over peer communities. Voting YES helps create a place that will attract tomorrow’s workforce and innovators. Voting YES will put us one more step in the direction of continued prosperity.

It is for these reasons that I urge my fellow citizens of Mahaska County to vote YES for the Local Option Sales Tax on May 3.

Respectfully,

Andrew Jensen