New jobs could have many residual effects on the area

After 30 years of little or no growth in the area, it is hard for some residents to believe that in the next year or so, the Nevada area could be home to about 1,000 new jobs -- many of which will be in manufacturing. "I've been working on getting these jobs here, and I have trouble believing it's really going to happen," Craig Hubler, city manager said. These jobs, which will, in effect, double the number of manufacturing jobs in town, will have a significant impact on the entire economy. Hubler said that he thinks there will be an increased demand for retail and leisure activities. There will be more people going to the movies, eating out, playing golf and using the new aquatic center. According to information from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 100 new manufacturing jobs leads to an increase of almost $3 million in personal income, seven new retail businesses and 64 non-manufacturing jobs, which will lead to about $2 million more in retail sales. Research also estimates there would be a population increase of about 200 people --100 families and 60 new students in area schools. Hubler suggested that multiplying those numbers by 10 will give you a rough estimate of the impact 1,000 new jobs may have on the Vernon County and the surrounding counties. "This will make a significant change in the economy and will let the existing businesses expand their services," he said. It could also put a strain on the existing housing stock that may cause rents to rise and assessed valuation of homes to increase. Just how much impact on these factors will actually occur is unknown, although the rise in assessed valuation will not necessarily mean that property taxes will go up equally, because Missouri's Hancock Amendment ties increases in tax revenues to the rate of inflation. This area does not have enough housing for 1,000 new families, which means that a lot people will have to drive long distances to go to work, Hubler said. However, Hubler said that he expects to see about 500 new housing units built in the area during the next six years. Hubler said what he would really like to see is a continued effort to attract more businesses once the current crop is here and in operation. "We can support additional industry beyond these," Hubler said. Many believe Nevada has the potential to become a regional destination for shopping, work and recreation. "There will be a lot of opportunities for future employment, not necessarily in manufacturing," he said. Hopefully, marketing efforts will help. "As people nationally and regionally see what is happening others will follow," Hubler said. The city recently hired Wilson, Chapman, Re‚ to conduct a public relations and marketing campaign to let the rest of the country know about the new businesses that are starting-up in the Nevada area, and the town is gaining some degree of national notoriety. The public relations firm has already sent information to publications nationally about Extreme Products and Neighborlink, and the owner of Extreme Products said he has had people contact him who have seen the articles about the company in the Wall Street Journal. A lot of people wonder why anyone would locate a new business here and after 30 years of little or no growth, and local economic development specialists say that attitude is understandable. The answer to that question depends on individual circumstance; however, one factor seems to play a part all of the decisions. Nevada has a lot to offer. Many people who have spent their lives in metropolitan areas look longingly at living in a smaller town, Hubler, who grew up in the Boston area, said. "They see things in Nevada they like and reasons it is advantageous to locate here," he said. "We need to listen to them. Why they are coming here are valuable lessons," Hubler said. These people see a side of Nevada that local residents take for granted -- a sense of community that they do not see in urban areas. They see people who support one another and work together, he said. "Unless you've lived in an urban area you won't realize why we look so good to them," he said. "Hopefully this knowledge will help change our perceptions of ourselves," Hubler said.