My beliefs and “platform”
To get the dialogue started, here is my platform. Please feel free to post your replies below – I will read and respond to each one.
I believe we, as a city, must:
…keep jobs from leaving the area by supporting the businesses we already have, providing mentoring programs and funding assistance where appropriate.
… bring more jobs to Kirksville by supporting economic development efforts and aggressively marketing our city to attract both big AND small businesses.
…improve our downtown, roads, bike and walking paths by pursuing grants, the DREAM initiative, and both public and private investment.
…aggressively promote tourism to bring outside money into the local economy.
…use the power of technology and the Internet to draw jobs and visitors to town and improve communication between citizens and the city.
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T.S. said:
I know that at one time, several years ago, Harley-Davidson was interested in coming here and building a plant. It was explained to citizens that the City Council turned them down because they were afraid of “what kind of people” would come to this area if we became inundated with motorcycles. While there were many who agreed with them, a mixture of ignorance and memories of biker gangs from decades past stirring all that fear, most of the town was furious that with Standard Register closing down and Hollisters still in a tenuous situation, we couldn’t afford to turn down anyone without much better reasons (like an intention to pollute the entire area with nuclear waste, for example).
From the people I know at Hollisters, there’s still fear that it will be shut down before too long as it is the only plant that company has with a worker’s union–and we all know how well unions and company management get along.
Is it even possible to reestablish connections with Harley-Davidson? I know it may be too late, but with motorcycle sales soaring due to the energy crisis, they may still be interested in us.
admin said:
@T.S.: Unfortunately, the Harley-Davidson plant was a rumor and nothing more. Harley Davidson has never expressed interest in building a plant here. At one time, they had expressed interest in opening up a dealership here, but we never heard anything from them again after they opened one up in Columbia.
We would, of course, welcome any industry that would come to Kirksville. If you have any leads, please let us know!
admin said:
From Phil Tate (of KREDI):
For the life of me, I do not know how this rumor ever got started. Even more of a mystery is how this rumor continues to have a life of its own.
I can attest to the fact, without question, that Harley-Davidson never considered Kirksville for their Missouri plant location. I was the Director of Business Attraction and Expansion for the State of Missouri in the Missouri Department of Economic Development when Harley-Davidson made their location decision. I was there and it was under my supervision that the project started, proceeded, and concluded with the plant opening in North Kansas City. At no time was Kirksville ever considered or even mentioned as a possible location.
This rumor has persisted ever since and I guess even before, I came to Kirksville. Just a few years ago, because of the rumor, I went to my contacts at Harley-Davidson and they made a comment that we printed in the Kirksville Daily Express stating that their company never considered Kirksville. I don’t know how anyone could be more definitive than that.
An interesting side note is the fact that Kansas City has a string Union presence. That strong presence was considered a plus to the management of Harley-Davidson who believe that organized labor is a very good thing for their company.