Last updated on 2011.06.06
My telecommuting neighbor Ashley Kenneth Allen has started a Facebook group aimed at promoting economic development here in Madison. Discussion (oh yeah, another purpose: to invite everyone to participate in public discussion of economic development) so far has revolved around bringing a large retailer or grocery store to town.
Lake Area Improvement Corporation board member Mike McDowell uses his Heartland blog to tell the group to stifle that idea:
What we can't do here is snap our fingers and make a Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or other large retail establishment appear. These companies all have many factors they use in choosing a location for a new facility, including but not limited to, population growth and income, property requirements, transportation needs. Our part begins when these companies examine these issues to their satisfaction and an onsite visit is scheduled [Mike McDowell, "Local Economic Development: What It Is and What It Isn't," HCPD blog, 2011.06.03].
Evidently the party line is that the powers that be will decide for us, behind their usually closed doors, what constitutes acceptable economic development efforts. The LAIC feels it can make great efforts to come up with a sales tax kickback scheme to line local corporate pockets at the expense of other communities, but instead of taking an active role in reaching out to large retailers and demonstrating to them how we meet their location criteria, the LAIC prefers to wait passively for those retailers to notice us.
A little off point, we just aren't big enough for a Walmart. Maybe one of these small ones (Walmart Express) they are testing. The Chamber just did that survey that shows a high percentage of Madison folk already shop elsewhere, so why would those stores want to build if we're willing to drive?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/WalMart-unveils-ministores-apf-3717387681.html?x=0
Probably it's better to accept what Madison is or pack up your bags.
Wow and wow. Nice to know that some think I am telling them to snap their fingers and use magic and whatever....but I think I said this would take hard work to accomplish this. I am a vacation...so I will post more thoughts in a few days. But for now, check out facebook.com/madisonsd --- I never thought I would be campaigning for a superstore or big box retailer...but small retailers in Madison are closing their doors and much is jeopardy. We don't have much left to lose.
Yankton has a Hy-Vee and we are begging for a Sunshine. Yankton has a Wal-Mart and we are begging for a Target.
It's perspective. We all want what we don't/can't have. Towns like Flandreau and Spearfish have Alco's a very nice mini superstore. Alco would go well in Madison.
I would think for a town the size of Madison finding someone to come in and do a small specialty grocery a bit more upscale to Sunshine would be profitable.
Talking to and convincing some of the uber profitable Brookings main street businesses into expanding to Madison with tax incentives may be the way to go.
DSU opening a coffee shop/gift store on main would be very cool. Enticing some of the artists from the Brookings arts festival to sell items on consignment by an LAIC owned and operated specialty "mall" would be really cool.
Is there anyone willing to open a canoe/cross country skiing/bicycle shop in Madison? Has anyone talked to Sioux River Cyclary in Brookings?
Has downtown living been promoted? Are people renovating the apartments in their owned buildings?
Instead of waiting for someone to do something with the Masonic Temple why doesn't the city buy it and MAKE something happen with the Masonic Temple? Recruit a young chef from Mnpls or Omaha or KC to come in and have his own place...his own menu (let me tell you from being in the business for years this is EVERY chefs dream). Pay him a salary. Let him pick his staff and train them. But the city owns it. The city pays the bills, the city pays the chef BUT STAYS OUT OF HIS WAY!!! Eventually you hope the chef or some investor will buy the business from you.
The time for arguing about what you won't have is gone. The time to become innovative and create answers is now. Period. I love Madison. Donelle and I looked at moving there and if we leave Yankton to return north Madison is the town we will live in.
It saddens me to read about the economic downturn and rips my heart out when I drive through on my way home (81 to 34).
I hope you as a community can be progressive enough to make businesses want to be a part of your community.
Shane
McDowell's full statement is telling but nothing more than watching main street for the last 10 years. The LAIC operates in large part from private funding, so you have to be realistic about local politics and which interests are the priority.
I hope they aren't interested. I guess I thought saving main street was the goal, but I guess getting a big box hell hole is more in line with the opinions of some of you. That is always good for a small community like madison. /s
Jenna why can't both happen? Look at Brookings (I know I have mentioned them many times but seriously look at their main street) and the success it has had with it's main street and large box retail area.
Why does there have to be one or the other. Isn't there danger in limiting your thinking to only one area?
Shane
Shane - We need another 20k people before we even think about getting a store larger or better than Pamida/Lewis. That's just plain fact and common sense. If we want to be like Brookings, we need an interstate and about 40 years of growth. I fail to see any additions to our retail economy that would help, besides maybe a grocery store which has been already shown that we can't support two. I would rather they went after jobs and keeping the one we have. Throw in the fact that Brookings has 15k students helping, even though most of you disregard the economic impact college kids have on a community, and you can see why they can support those retailers. So.....what are the ideas? What stores? What benefits? Maybe this blog and it's followers can provide answers, rather than baseless rants that are nothing more than talking points that they condemn the other side for using. I really am curious as to what they can do better?!?
Who showed Madison can't support two grocery stores? Dan Roemen?
Custer, population 2067, has two grocery stores. Hot Springs, population 3711, has two grocery stores. Both are within 60 miles of Rapid City, which has lots of grocery stores.
Just to be clear, Jenna, yours are the baseless rants. You haven't provided a shred of evidence for anything you've said here. I get the impression you aren't really looking for answers, just excuses to argue. Ashley has provided lots of constructive suggestions. I'd add that instead of a million-dollar kickback for Custom Touch for jobs that the market was going to support anyway, the city and LAIC should spend $150K to acquire Dakota Drug and Books & More and use those buildings as incubators for new retail/service businesses who need help to start up on Main Street.
No facts? We already had two grocery stores and that didn't last so there is your fact that we can't support two. What else do you need on that topic? Another fact, if there is money to be made, someone would have done it. If another grocery store is profitable, why don't you do the community a favor and get a loan to build one and employ some of your fellow citizens? Why does it always have to be someone else? Take over books and more? What for? You sit and say they need to spur growth and then never provide the type of growth. I guess we could make that into an adult toy store. I bet that would be profitable. Beggars can't be choosers? Right?
Jenna...I gave you an entire list of ideas that you disregarded or chose not to answer too and then went off. I happen to understand you are "not" Brookings, that is why I suggested an Alco. I also am a huge proponant of local downtown businesses. I just think you have to think specialties that no one else does.
Outdoor sporting goods
Butcher
Cheese maker
Winery
Wood furniture made to order
DSU/Madison/Lake area themed gift store
Destination dining.
Thank you for lashing out Jenna. I appreciate that.
Shane
Young lady from Brookings is opening a ladies boutique here in Yankton to compliment her one there. Looking for a manager now. She loved the town when she was here for ignite so has decided to expand her business.
Approach people and ask them to come to the town...you have willing workers that can manage the businesses, now you just need people to invest in the community.
Screaming here and having fits doesn't help anyone Jenna. As an outsider looking in...you are really coming across as the aggressive, bitter problem creator rather than solver Jenna.
I'm not saying you are that person...letting you know that is how you are coming across.
Shane
Outdoor sporting goods? - Bring in a scheels-like store, or whatever you want. You are know stepping on a number of boat/pwc dealers.(3-4 in the area) Hunting and fishing supplies at One Stop/Pamida/Lewis that are actually lower priced than most large retailers. Clothing and shoes can be found on main street with exception to some high priced brands. Did I miss anything on that one?
Butcher? - We have one.
Cheese Maker? - Dimock has quite the hold around here. Do you actually think one could survive?
Wood Furniture? - You mean like the few cabinet makers around here? Rosebud? Did you know they do custom orders for other things as well?....or the Amish furniture locations that aren't more than 30-40 miles away?
Winery? - Yeah, this is what we really need. I guess this is wine country so we should have one every 20 miles.
DSU/Madison/Lake Area themed gift store? - It's called power promotions and a few other stores on main street. You can also go to the Trojan Center at DSU and they have a larger clothing/souvenior store with DSU and Madison objects.
Destination Dining? - We can't support fine dining around here. The closest thing I have heard of was Geno's on the lakes. Food was alright but it was obvious there wasn't enough people here year round to make it.
So......out of all the stores you suggested, we either had one, or you want to take business from those who are already providing that product or service. I am happy with what we got and I hope you and the rest support them as well.
http://www.eagleriver.org/
amazing little town my wife and I found just traveling. Reminds me of Madison in location (no interstate) and topography (streams, lakes, etc).
This is a town that made it's main street off of the type of specialty stores I am referring to.
Oh and there are places that come into towns the size of Madison that love to actually like Game Stop, Save A lot grocery, Dunham sporting goods and Walgreens. Tier 2/3 cities like Madison have to be more innovative but to just scream that there are no answers only failures is quitting prior to the fight.
Shane
Thank you for the practical suggestions, Shane. Jenna, the past few years of one-grocery monopoly in Madison are outweighed by many more preceding years of Madison supporting multiple grocery stores. Instead of fixing on accepting the status quo, I'd like to understand what has changed in Madison over just the last ten years to make two grocery stores unsustainable, understand what makes two grocery stores work in smaller towns like Custer and Hot Springs, and then figure out how to bring those conditions (and another grocer!) back to Madison.
Shane - I am merely providing a different view with coinciding facts. I don't care if I am met with insulting sarcasm and baseless insults. I expect it from that side.
[CAH: "baseless" again? What is your obsession with that word as a rhetorical tool, Jenna? And why do you keep misusing it, when so much of what you are arguing against off the top of your head has been supported with hyperlinked evidence?]
I believe Madison could handle two smaller grocery stores, but not one large one like sunshine and a smaller one. Simple as that.
Case in point...see above.
Hyperlinked evidence? What evidence? A link to a city site or another blog. If that flies as evidence then count me out of that debate.
As far as my ideas you did counter them...but they were just ideas. I for one am of the school that competition makes the existing businesses stronger. Why not compete with the Winery in Volga? The Cheese in Dimock? Why not push another butcher? Why not have a Dunhams with more sporting goods available?
Tell Ihlen Mn (No interstate population about 120) that destination dining can't be done as the Glass House has provided that for YEARS. Just because something hasn't worked doesn't mean it won't work Jenna.
For every failure I can and will find a counter that wins. Brookings main street was dying, Yankton (Mt. Marty about the same size as Madison) main street was dying, Canton (NO school and competing with Sioux Falls) main street was dying...they all rebounded and are THRIVING. Drive to Dell Rapids and look at the main street. For pete's sake Flandreau almost has a full main street!!!!
The same can be done for Madison but not with the "it all fails/we can't do that here" attitude.
We used to love to come into Madison and shop. When I lived there I loved the downtown. There is no reason this can't happen again. The lakes are a destination, make your town be one too.
Shane
Jenna who better to learn from than other towns that have already been through what Madison is going through?!?!?!?!?!?! Please help me understand why you wouldn't want information from successful like sized towns?
Shane - I am all for growth and more stores. However, I am not willing to parade around for stores that will hurt what we have. When it comes to sporting goods, we already have a good share of them. The only thing we are missing is maybe the clothing aspect. You can get everything else here in town and I enjoy supporting the current business owners. Cheese, Winery, Butcher.....I would go for one, but I think that needs for of a private push. We can give them tax break and the like, but for one to survive, they really need to take off and have a lot of community support. Could it happen, yes, but I doubt it.
I would like to see more restaurants in this town, but I still don't know if it would last.
I would also like to see a push for more technology growth. We have the talent pool and they just need the opportunity. Places like R-Serving, Bulldog Media, InfoTech, Secure Banking Solutions. Those are the jobs of the future and those are what will help build the environment to support more retail venues.
Shane - I fail to see any evidence by just the link you supplied. Maybe you could go a little deeper and give an example and show how we can use those same ideas. Saying it works there, so we can do it here just won't cut the mustard.
http://www.eaglerivermainstreet.org/main_street.html
http://www.eaglerivermainstreet.org/business_assistance.html
If you take the time to go through the link you will find all the information you are requesting. I have done that for you on the top two links. Now there are links within these links...if you need me to link to the links from the link for you I will...but I am hoping you can handle that.
Shane
The Metrodome is available for salvage. Winters are killing Madison retail. Wise up, redstaters. Flee, Democrats.
http://www.ibizresources.com/success_profiles.html
http://www.stateline.org/live/printable/story?contentId=20375
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/main-street-news/story-of-the-week/2011/elkader-iowa.html
http://reimaginerural.com/main-street-approach/
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/resources/
Have some fun and go through these Jenna.
Shane - The LAIC does just that. I don't see what the links are supposed to support. We have a main street and we do what we can to support new businesses. We give tax breaks, checks to help get them started which don't need to be payed back, and other incentives. Unless someone wants to take the risk and try, we have our hands tied. If you know of any entrepreneurs who want to try it, have them complete a business plan and provide it to the group for support. The ability is there, I just have a feeling most are waiting for things to turn around before investing into a business. It's real risky to start a specialized business in a small town in this environment. The economy isn't on the upswing yet.
No. Contrary to McDowell's assertion, the LAIC ignores Main Street. It abandoned the Main Street and More program in 2008 after a few months of nothing. Show me one concrete program the LAIC has executed in support of Main Street retail.
oh.....so you want a specialized program that puts an even sweeter icing on the cake to get people to go to Main Street? I would never promote discriminating our financial help for new businesses based on location. They should see main street as an exclusive advantage to much more traffic and that should be enough icing. The businesses aren't knocking at the door and people aren't willing to take the risk. The need just isn't there. What is wanted by a few and what is reality are two different things.
In regards to mainstreet retail, I don't think anyone wants to make that jump and risk right now and open a new store. To your shagrin Cory, the only thing I'd see as a safe bet in downtown Madison would be another bar/restaurant. The Stadium seems to be doing fine from what I hear.
The supermarket idea would make sense. But how successful would it be? Madison could have 10 supermarkets, and people will still buy groceries in Sioux Falls. Even in the glory days of Madison's supermarket selection, I remember my Mom getting stuff in Sioux Falls because it was cheaper.
The current focus of any economic development plan in Madison should be on drawing new employers to town, and not so much on retail. The SBS company is a great example of a good thing for Madison. Using DSU grads and paying them a good salary. Drawing more innovative high paying jobs will then open the floodgates of retail demand.
Another area to look into is drawing more retired people. My current town of Thermopolis, WY has done this with pretty good success the last few years. We have a stream of retired people from California who move here, buy a good home at a much cheaper price, pay little in taxes and live a pretty care free life with no traffic and crime. Madison could also market itself in the same way. We have clean air (unless Yellowstone blows up), no taxes and mountains. You guys have clean air, no taxes, and lakes!
Now is not the time to focus on retail development. If anyone rushes into something before the community is ready, it will more than likely end in disaster.
And one last thing. For some reason, communities that have a focus on the arts seem to spur good results. I look at my neighbors in Cody and Jackson Hole and see what has happened to those communities. It is amazing. Both towns offer many different opportunites in the arts, and it seemed people and jobs followed.
Madison has the potential, it just needs to focus on the right thing at the right time. Speaking of which, all these towns I have mentioned, do not have a four lane highway.
Jenna, your sophistry is tiring (as is your refusal to reply to my e-mails attempting to verify your identity; are you a real person with a full name, or just Dwaine Chapel writing behind a pseudonym... no, wait, Dwaine can't write even as well as you). I'm not seeking discrimination; I'd be happy to see equal focus on economic sectors. The LAIC is discriminating by not making any Main Street effort (though I remain open to any counterexamples you wish to provide, Jenna). You discrimiante by defending the status quo in which LAIC gives its manufacturing friends big subsidies but then reject our suggestions for support for retail by saying that sector should rely on a "private push."
Main Street is a unique place, requiring unique attention, given its physical and spiritual centrality to the community. If all we can do is provide manufacturing jobs and houses for folks who then do all their shopping elsewhere, we are not quite a complete community. A vibrant Main Street contributes to a vibrant community in ways that lots of jobs in the industrial park do not. (Again, I'm not saying I don't want those jobs: people need to make a living so they can buy stuff downtown. I'm just saying I want an equal focus, not the focus on big-job scores that Mike McDowell denies but which is demonstrated by the LAIC's visible efforts and the comments they've given to much smaller employers seeking assistance.)
Mark, good perspective. Retail is a tough row to hoe. Yet on groceries, Custer and Hot Springs sustain two grocery stores even with Rapid City competition in easy driving distance. What conditions differ between those two towns and Madison to make such grocery business unsustainable here?
Yes, does Jenna have a last name??? We had two grocery stores for 40 years. Before that 5 or so small ones at the same time. What's changed are expectations. People want a nice store, with variety and competitive pricing. We do not have that so people started driving for it. When large numbers of people start driving for basics the rest will steamroll. We need to keep people in town with a bigger better grocery store, and another store for clothing, discount furniture, etc. These anchors are necessary. Worthington has a Walmart (not saying that is the answer), but then shaped its downtown with specialty shops and restaurants. I talked to their Chamber and in house city planner who explained they used block grants to make this happen, so I in turn shared this with an LAIC board member. As Cory pointed out, they actually hired someone for a main street development program with a newspaper roll out, but that employment ended after a couple weeks and nothing was ever said about that again. Kind of odd, no?
How's the funeral business in Madison? Mortuary science is a dying art.
Cory,
Perhaps the two stores in Custer and Hot Springs are run very well. Or maybe the people who live in those communities have an attachment to their grocery stores and support them. You also have to remember that those areas are loaded with tourists and campers in the summer months, along with hunters in the fall and snowmobilers in the winter which perhaps makes it easier to sustain for the respective owners.
Madison could draw a limited amount of tourism if it exploited the lakes properly. Some commercial zones around the lakes, motels/hotels, some more eating places, and even limited retail could go over well if done properly. Look at Lake Okoboji.
This is a funny converstation, only because I came back last night from a town almost 100 miles a way that I have been to 3 times in less than 6 months. You know what that town has....1 place to eat and a brewery and population of 220 people. But with my return from their annual BrauFest you can tell they have it all. I would love to see a Brewery or BrewPub come to Madison. Then I wouldn't have to drive to Lucan or New Ulm. People mentioned Brookings...Brookings now will be the home of a Brewery and a Brew Pup with locals brewing beer with a Brookings twist.
And just for the record, Brau Brothers Beer isn't just in Lucan. I can get it here in town, however when you can hang out with people that welcome you to their town and encourage you to eat a 2 pound burger and a pound of fries, just to get your son a free shirt, then that is where it is at.
If you want to look at what Madison needs take a look at what we go to other towns for. Most of my grocery bill is spent at a store that is smaller than my basement. We love shopping at the East Dakota Food Coop and the Sioux Falls farmers market, that is something I can't get here.
I would say I love Madison's choices to eat. They are better now with no smoking. I use to only go to the Stadium but now it is great to go to the Sportsman's or Jerseys.
Cory I know you will jump all over this, however if the high school remodel and gym expansion would have gone through it would have been easier to bring in businesses. Guess we missed the boat on that one. Why do I say that. Let's see....a couple weeks ago we hosted the state track meet with a crappy day, however the money taken at the gate was huge, now what would happen if you could host a couple day state tournament. We now have the Tour Dakota coming, and we are asking people to house them because there are not enough hotels. DSU will be hosting the Independent Girls and Boys basketball tournament, and once again the community is being asked to house players and fans because of lack of places.
Yes I will say it again we missed the boat with the remodel. That remodel would have brought you another hotel (more events more money), the events that we would have had would have brought another fast food place or two, and we probably would have seen more.
As a person that grew up in Mitchell, I see how one thing changes everything. Everyone thought Walmart would kill Mitchell business, well I was just there and County Fair which was one of those that was going to die is now building the County Fair Plaza to house other businessess.
I think the LAIC should give us the money to start a brew pub in Madison. I know many people that would love to be a part of that. I can see it now The General Beadle Brewing Company. I can see the beer names already...Normal School Lager, Memorial Park Stout, Lake Herman Pale Ale, Prairie Village Porter, and Bulldog Chocolate Stout. The list is endless. We could then celebrate the brewery with Prairie Village Days.
Flash mob for activism: http://helenair.com/news/local/article_641193ac-8f3d-11e0-8443-001cc4c002e0.html
A new middle school was supposed to bring economic development, as was the new elementary school. How is that working out? If the new gym and high school renovation was to be such a boon for economic development, maybe the LAIC and city gov'ts should have been the first to hop on the bandwagon to fund that instead of just telling the same property tax payers to pony up once again.
Prairie Village is attracting more attention and events lately, but what is the city doing to promote that? It is a gem but pretty much ignored by the city powers that be as a source of economic development IMO. A city in NE has a similar attraction that includes a restaurant and motel. Maybe a motel with a theme of the olden days and a similar type restaurant in conjunction with a promotional campaign could be considered. Them of come experience the days of yesteryear along with hands on experiences in the type of living, food, games, work, etc come to mind.
John Hess is correct when he says, why should a chain store come to Madison, we shop there already. When J.C. Penny closed their doors, I talked with the young man who came here and locked the doors. I told him I could not believe that the store was not profitable and asked why it closing. He told me that yes, the store was profitable, but with all the money being spent from zip code 57042 in the Brookings and Sioux Falls stores corporate headquarters could not justify the overhead costs for a store in Madison. Every time you shop in the Wal Mart in Brookings and Sioux Falls you lower the chances of Wal Mart coming to Madison, they don't open stores for your convience, they open stores to maximize profits.
A pearl of wisdom also comes from the writings of Rob. When you hang out people that welcome you to their town and encourage you to eat a two pound berger to get a free tee shirt it creates a positive image of the community. Deleon Mork is a perfect example of this. My Grandchildren, who now live in California, think the Dairy Queen is the greatest place in America. The parents of their friends all know about DeLeon and the Dairy Queen in Madison as do all their friends. They proudly wear Madison Dairy Queen T-shirts to school and I guarantee you that if any of those many families were within 100 miles of Madison they would make a special trip to Madison just to see why it is so special to Hunter and Baily.
Construction of the new high school would have shown outsiders that the citizens of Madison are commited to education and to the future of their community.
First time we flew out of Omaha I stopped at the information counter at the air port to ask a question and ended up in a coversation with another retired GI who did his best to convince me that I should move to Omaha. This happens all the time when we visit San Diego, people tell me of all the reason I should move there. Not just people we know, but people I just talk to in stores and open air markets. When was the last time you heard someone in Madison encouraging a stranger to move here?
Contrast this with a friend of mine that visited from a small dumpy town in Alabama that has a dirt main street. He could not understand why I stayed in Madison as he considered it one of the unfriendliest communities, totally lacking in social graces, he had ever visited and vowed never to come back.
If you want to know what made Madison a great place to live in its first 100 years go to the library and read newpapers before 1970. Madison was full of DeLeon Morks where today there is just one. I'd like to see him run for mayor but I know thats not going to happen.
Joseph G Thompson
Oh, almost forgot Larry. Always love your snarky comments and attitude, don't always agree with your politics, but don't ever change. For your information funeral parlors in Madison are probably the only growth industry here.
I am back. As I read the comments posted by Jenna something just did not sound right, so I re read them several times and it finally stood out.
Jenna, you said "out of all the stores you suggested, we either had one, or you want to take business from those already providing that product or service. I am happy with what we got". I certainly hope that you are not involved in any way with LAIC because that attitude certainly does not
provide the basis for any positive growth in Madison. LAIC should be encouraging competition not discouraging it because only with competition does an economy grow.
I also assume that your use of the terms "the other side" implys that you are a Republican or at least lean the way. One of the foremost economic beliefs of a Republican is that competition is good. The Dairy Queen competes directly with McDonalds but provides a superior service and product hence he is able to stay in business.
Joseph G Thompson
Jenna you asked me what I want the LAIC to do? Recruit businesses!!! I don't care if you are offering gold gilded toilets to every person if they don't know they are there...well...you've got a lot of fancy crappers on your hands is all.
Do you have an active recruiter? Do you have someone contacting franchises? Do you have someone going out to other communities and asking businesses if they would consider Madison? You told me to send you information if I knew of anyone wanting to do business in Madison...I will gladly do that, but Jenna, are you looking?
I have given just a smattering of off the cuff ideas and have been shot down by you with lame whining excuses. If this is the attitude of the LAIC as a whole then watch your town die.
You have 2 beautiful lakes. You have prairie village. You have an amazing playhouse (do you bring in any touring shows?). You have DSU sports and theater. You have history at your fingertips. What is the LAIC doing to capitalize on any of this?
Easy to sit on your gold gilded throne and say "No one wants to come here!!!" Show some dang initiative and get off that throne and MAKE things happen.
Shane Gerlach
In fact I'm told our aging population is our next big economic trend. A better school and grocery would make this town more attractive. Call em building blocks. You've got to have a foundation. I hate driving to Sioux Falls. Thankfully that Osborn fellow came to town with some affordable running shoes. He's cheaper than Ebay! I happily buy in Madison when it makes sense. Everybody does!
I'd like to counter an argument I'm seeing in the comments. This is not an all-or-nothing game. Expanding retail in Madison will not mean that Madisonites spend all of their retail dollars locally. That has never been the case and it never will be. It isn't the case anywhere. I will always want to travel to other towns and will always buy things elsewhere and online.
The point is to EXPAND the options in Madison so that people make one less trip to Brookings or Sioux Falls--not to eliminate every transaction outside of Madison. Increasing the sales tax revenue here will increase the resources we have to make our community better. There will be more to plow back into programs like downtown revitalization, small business incubators, and local arts & culture events.
We don't have to be exactly like other towns; in fact, we shouldn’t be. But we can take great ideas from other places and expand on them for our own community. Shane, you've listed some spectacular ideas. That's a great list to start from.
Erin, I could not have said it better. Thank you for your thoughts. This is exactly my feelings and the reason I started the Facebook page discussing new retail stores. The answer is to expand in our community. We believe that the community will benefit from the added competition of having a large retailer.
What we would like to do, is explore our options, talk with leaders, try to understand what has already been done, and see what we can do in the future. Open minds and open discussion.
I have had so many ask me why I am wasting my time and tell me this will never happen in Madison. It is if we are settling for a dying retail sector and there is nothing we can do about it.
Well, I reject that thinking. I am a 4th generation Madison resident, my children are 5th generation. I am a proud MHS and DSU graduate. I love this town and I know we can not only survive, but we can grow. There is so much evidence showing this can be done. I know many want to stay here, live here, work here, and thrive here. But, we need to be bold and make big moves soon, before we continue to lose population and sales tax revenue.
I am hoping to hold a town meeting at the end of June so we can begin organizing our ideas and voices. Then we will take our message to the City and the LAIC. I am hoping they will be responsive and will want to work with us to get to explore the options.
Thanks for your thoughts,
-Ashley
(By the way Cory, you need a Hot Topic or Sticky Topic on this blog so it survives on your main page longer, need something to promote these topics that have so many responses.)
(Thanks, Ashley! For now, I'm committed to the standard blog reverse-chronology. The "Recent Comments" widget is a small step in the direction you mention, as it brings active discussions to the top.)
I'm impressed with the discussion here so far. Jenna is still hiding behind baseless statements and defense of the status quo, but I'm hearing lots of good hypotheses and practical suggestions. Compare Ashley's desire for more public participation and the tone of McDowell's defense of the LAIC, a screed that comes across as condescending and exclusionary (we know best, don't stick your nose in our business). Now wouldn't it be spectacular if the LAIC made public conversations like this a normal part of their business? Wouldn't it be great if we knew our leaders would read and participate in discussions like this and take them (and the general population) seriously?
Ashley, when you get ready to launch that public meeting, consider talking to Lindsey Karlson at the Rural Learning Center about the "World Café" meeting/conversation model, see if you think that would facilitate the interaction and idea-building you seek.
Thanks for the work you're doing, Ashley! I'm looking forward to the meeting. As long as it's after June 25th, I'll be there!
Ashley,
I agree we need more here in Madison to keep people here to shop. We need in town what people need to buy. I have to go to Sioux Falls for my groceries now I have been buying most in Madison, but I have a child that has a special diet and I need to get those and our little store does not have many choices. My kids need clothes that fit our stores do not carry my sons shoe sizes so again I have to drive out of town for that. We need these things to keep people shopping here. We used to have 2 grocery stores here I wish we still did. If you have 2 usually they compete and prices will lower.
If you want to share this community feedback, why not do so directly by inviting Dewaine Chapel, Mike McDowell, and the LAIC reps from the city and county board. Karen Lembcke I think is on the city side. And why not Mork and any other LAIC board member? It's my understanding soon the LAIC will need to pursue additional funding because the 5 year run from the first Forward Madison Campaign is ending, so this would be the right time to let them know what the community wants. Our pubic contribution is considerable so it's reasonable they be given a voice.
I posted a response to Mr. McDowell on his blog.
http://hcpdblog.com/2011/06/02/local-economic-development-what-it-is-and-what-it-isnt/#comment-217
John - I plan on inviting everyone and I am hoping our group leaders will have the opportunity to meet with the LAIC, Chamber of Commerce, and the City Commission.
Our first meeting will be more of an organizing effort. A time to listen to opinions and organize some basic goals. We will also ask for some individuals the help lead the group and help direct the hard work of research and coordination.
I really appreciate the sincere thoughts over everyone. I do believe that if the retail sector leaves this town or continues to weaken, it will lead to major problems for Madison. From population decrease to less sales tax revenue for government services, like roads and parks.
By the way, I’m downtown at the moment, and it is awesome seeing all the Tour deKota people walking up and down Egan Avenue and filling up the outdoor seats at Mochavino and The Stadium. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that creating an even better downtown destination and recruiting more great events like the Tour deKota to Madison will be a big boon to our community and local economy.
My home town of Wessington Springs <2000 residents supported 2 grocery stores the entire time I lived there. One store owned by the Glodt family was lost in one of the several fires Wess. Springs main street suffered. The owners chose not to rebuild. Madison can absolutely support more than one grocery store, anyone who does not believe this is woe-fully wrong.
Perhaps the reason there is only one grocery store in Madison today is because the stores current owners bought the competition and closed it?
When we first came to Madison downtown had much to offer: Stones, Galloways, Betty's Dress Shop, Montgomery Furniture, JC Penney, Ben Franklin, Burg's Shoe Store, two eye doctors, two drug stores, hardware store -- these are just some that come to my short memory! Some of those businesses are gone now because the owners retired and the business was not purchased. Downtown revitialization is going to take upgrades to buildings. Roofs that don't leak, upgraded wiring, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, paint and fresh inviting ways to make old buildings with character and charm look appealing to a consumer and potential shop owners. Lake County has much to offer (most of those special attractions have been mentioned) and needs to capitialize on what it has -- build up and make improvements on what we have. Tour DeKota is a prime example. The tours planned to area attractions were brilliant. If we don't tell and show people what a wonderful place Madison is to live in and raise a family why would potential shop owners want to come?? Revitialzation of downtown also comes with an attitude adjustment - and a smile -- "I am so glad you are here!" Have you ever been thanked for shopping in a Madison store? Or invited back?
This is in response to the mythical "jenna" on 2011 06.05 at 11:03.....
Cheese Maker...regards to Dimock since they fired the old manager and hired a new one a couple of years ago their product went from unique/high quality to low quality dribble. So, I think a truly Artisan Cheesemaker Could do some good business...and they can buy their milk from Corey's favorite Milk Producer (ha ha).
Outdoor Sporting Goods....If any of the three stores you mentioned have what you want in stock, I beg to differ on your saving they have better prices apparently you never buy fishing tackle or boating supplies.
Destination Dinnning....I refer to the Alpine Inn in Hill City they serve unique German Cuisine for Lunch and One Item for supper Small or Large cut of Fillet Mignon. They have out of this world desserts. Yes, they get alot of tourists but people that live in the Hills travel many miles to eat there.
Grocery Store...HyVee may not be interested but look at other smaller chained stores. Such as Cash Wise/Coborn's Company...they have a Store in Pipestone and Mitchell so Madison would not be out of the Geographical Area. Or another retailer that does gang busters and would be unique to south dakota would be ALDI's...they have one in Mankato, Mn...it is a small store and could easily fit in between Lewis and Montgomery's furniture Store.
Finally, about your last statment "Jenna" settling with what you got is such a SoDak Statment....see your current and last governors, current congresswomen, and current SoDak Senate Majority Leader. I would strive to improve and change things for the better not staying with the Staus Quo that is so inundated or maybe a better word entrenched into so many South Dakotan's Mindsets.