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Fort Scott officials look forward to more progress
FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Some good things happened in Fort Scott in 2011 and local officials are hoping for continued progress in 2012.
The Herald-Tribune recently talked to Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison to get their thoughts on 2011 and some things they're expecting in the coming year as they try to aid pro-gress in Fort Scott.
"I'm real optimistic about the new year," Martin said. "There are a lot of strengths going on. We have a lot of infrastructure plans for next year."
Martin said he would like to see the local unemployment rate hold at 6.5 percent, which is "just a little bit over the state figure." He said many positives are happening, including companies talking about adding jobs and expanding, and growth of the downtown area.
The city's assets include a golf course and a forthcoming new swimming pool and skate park, Martin said.
"There are a lot of things to take care of our citizens," he said. "We also have a strong economic development person and the community behind her. We made great strides last year. We're doing things to keep moving Fort Scott forward."
The city recently hired Macy Cullison as its economic development recruitment and retention manager. She started the job in August.
Madison said she is looking forward to "engaging members of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce through networking events, seminars, job fairs, member recognition, cooperative advertising opportunities and other initiatives" in 2012.
"I am passionate about working with the city, for the community, to better the business climate, tourism and quality of life in Fort Scott and the surrounding area," she said.
Martin said one of the biggest changes he has seen over the last year is that "Fort Scott is becoming healthy again" after incidents in recent years such as the 2005 downtown fire and a grand jury investigation into allegations of criminal activity by city officials in 2006 and 2007.
"We've kind of been ill for awhile," he said. "Citizens are working together with community leaders. We're getting confidence back in the town ... Our town is becoming healthy again. I want to help it become healthy."
Madison said she feels 2011 was a "pivotal year for Fort Scott" for many reasons.
"The community spirit was raised with new civic leadership and several significant accomplishments such as winning the Take Charge Challenge, receiving two grants toward the Riverfront Park, development of Gunn Park trails, building the new swimming pool and generous involvement of the community toward the golf course and skate park. We have so much to be proud of in our community and I hope that our fellow citizens feel that pride."
Martin said the city was focused on economic development in 2011 and he feels that will continue in 2012. He said progress is the result of many entities within the city and county working together.
"I'm seeing local businesses wanting to invest in Fort Scott and our local economy," he said.
A half-cent sales tax that is funding construction of a new aquatic center and addition to Buck Run Community Center is the result of "the local community coming together to help (obtain) amenities for citizens," Martin said.
"The community said, 'We want this,'" he said.
Looking back on the year about to be past, Madison said she was glad to see several businesses open and expand in Fort Scott. She said there is the possibility for Fort Scott to draw in more businesses in the future.
"The number is pleasantly surprising when you review a listing of those businesses," she said. "Fort Scott has the location, workforce and civic support to retain and attract new businesses, and as the national economy improves, the economic climate in Fort Scott will improve also. I wish there were more grants and support available to assist small businesses to encourage growth in our historic downtown, but the city, chamber and BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc.) will pull together to help any entrepreneur to the best of our abilities."
As far as areas where improvement is needed, Martin said he wants to continue to promote the industrial park as that "hasn't really been promoted in the past." He also said he wants to continue to build citizens' confidence in local governments.
"We want to clean things up so citizens are comfortable we're leading them in the right direction," he said. "We strive to be government leaders who really do work with a tight budget and toward spending taxpayer dollars correctly."
Madison said she feels one area that needs improvement is "our own community pride."
"I have heard a number of times from locals, visitors, and college students that recently performed a study on Fort Scott that our biggest obstacle is that Fort Scott's own citizens lack community pride and do not realize what we have here in our own backyard," she said. "We would have the best marketing plan if each and every person here would positively promote our businesses, school system, health care, attractions and people."