While the Lake Area Improvement Corporation beats the drum on its tax increment finance district efforts, it assiduously avoids mentioning the continuing failure of its mostly dead Forward Madison initiative. According to the latest statistics from the South Dakota Department of Labor, Lake County lost 40 workers and 45 jobs in August. Unemployment for Lake County thus stands at 4.9%, up from 4.8% in July.
The LAIC raised over two million dollars in 2006 with the promise that it would raise Lake County's job total to 7065 by the end of 2011. At the end of August, Lake County's job total stood at 6165, 900 fewer than what LAIC exec Dwaine Chapel promised. Instead of gaining 400 jobs, Lake County has lost 500.
But things are tough all over, right? In Chapel's current hometown of Brookings, unemployment ticked up from 4.3% to 4.5% in August. In Chapel's old hometown (and, perhaps of metaphorical significance, my current digs) of the greater Spearfish metropolitan area, August unemployment ticked up a tenth of a point to 4.2%.
Let's look, however, at the larger trend.
| 2006 avg jobs | 2010 avg jobs | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 18,505 | 18,010 | -2.7% |
| Spearfish | 12,590 | 12,985 | 3.1% |
| Lake County | 6,525 | 6,175 | -5.4% |
| South Dakota | 421,760 | 422,565 | 0.2% |
I know I'll flunk Mike McDowell's graduate research class for daring to look at actual numbers, but over a period when the LAIC has purportedly thrown heart and soul into job creation, it has thus far underperformed job creation or even job preservation rates in Brookings, Spearfish, and statewide. Thanks, LAIC.
You crack me up man. LOL - I think you know what I am laughing about.
I do. Someday someone will get me some audio, and we'll all have a big laugh. :-)
I don't get the joke, but I will tell you I thought Randy originally said the houses would start at 90K. I was unable to find that recollection in writing. I asked the city commission to put his later estimates in writing but Mayor Hexom waved me off like a school boy. Ashley, run for city commission and you'll have a real good chance. That's how change will take place.
John.. are you in charge of the Draft Allen campaign or what? I had a few people tell me the same thing at the parade this weekend, to which I responded, "maybe when I am older and don't have so much work, school, and children responsibilities."
Cory.. I wish I had the audio. But we can still laugh about it. ;)
Tell the rest of us. You might get a few more votes honey.
Ashley, there may be future documentable conversations. For instance, maybe something of interest will be said at th LAIC annual meeting next time. John, sorry to be coy, but without the documentation, I can't lay out the story here.
As for running: Ashley, we'll always be busy with something. You'll get no criticism from me if you don't, but 2012 might be a great time to build on momentum and lead a conversation from the campaign stump.
Our teachers used to say, it's going to be your turn. Then when is that?