Job Growth in Kossuth County

The plight of rural Iowa has been in the news a lot recently. In January, the Des Moines Register focused on job growth and loss (Jan. 7) and the struggle to keep grocery stores in small towns (Jan. 28).

In both cases, Maureen Elbert, executive director of the Kossuth County Economic Development Corporation, is ecstatic as she points out Kossuth County’s unique statistics.

“For some people, it is not the jobs retained or gained that convince them of what economic development can do for them,” she stated. “It’s these statistics.”
Of the 79 counties considered rural in Iowa, only 28 showed a positive job growth from 2000 to 2006, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

As Emmet, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago, Hancock and Wright — all bordering Kossuth — posted job losses of 2.4 to 11.7 percent, and Humboldt posted a gain of .3 percent, Kossuth County showed a .6 percent increase.

In the other report, Iowa has lost more than two-thirds of its grocery stores since 1976 when there were 1,920 across the state.

Now, counting gas station convenience/grocery store hybrids, the state has less than 600. In that report, Kossuth County was only one of 11 counties with 10 or more grocery stores.

“It’s the little steps that create the big picture,” stated Elbert. “The smaller communities in Kossuth County are doing what they need to do to survive, which means keeping the grocery stores, gas stations, pools and banks to keep residents in town.”
While KCEDC has been in existence for 10 years, Elbert points to the joint effort between Bancroft, the county and KCEDC to retain Aluma as one of the turning points for the county.

“It was no longer just Bancroft, but it was all of Kossuth County digging in their heels because we were aware of the impact throughout the county if we lost that business,” added Elbert. “We’re energized now, and the forecast for Kossuth County is good. We are creating new jobs, and young people are coming back to the area.”

In fact, according to Elbert, one of the signs that the county is enjoying an economic revival is the Kossuth County Revolving Loan Fund, used for small business start up and expansion.

The total fund was $201,000, but right now so many different businesses are using the fund that it is nearly depleted. While the fund is replenished as the loans are paid back, Elbert states that there is not enough money for the more than 12 applications currently under review.

“We’ve got projects in Bancroft, Whittemore, West Bend, Wesley, Burt and Algona,” explained Elbert. “That is six communities in Kossuth County with potential businesses or expansions that have taken out applications.”

In 2007, KCEDC will focus on providing services to the construction projects happening in and near the county.

“We’ll be their resource,” said Elbert. “We need to encourage the bedroom communities and look at the programs they can tap into for housing and quality of life. There are many incentive programs out there to improve homes or rentals to entice people back to the area.”

Additionally, KCEDC will be working with the high schools and community colleges to get the youth involved, focusing on the intern program.

“All of the energy, the momentum we have going right now, won’t mean anything if the younger crowd doesn’t get involved with our great volunteers,” added Elbert.

The intern program matches interested college students with a summer job at a local business. Over the summer several programs are held to familiarize the students with the area and network with professionals in their field.

“This lets them know what the county can offer to them,” Elbert said.

For more information on the intern program or how to get involved, contact KCEDC at 515-295-7979.