The Minneapolis Star-Tribune recently described Albert Lea as &uot;once again the bride’s maid, never the bride.&uot; Can it be that there is something wrong with our technique, or must we just continue shopping until something falls into place?

In the case of Premium Pork, we offered a program variously described as $5.5, $6.5, and $11 million in loans and incentives. It seems that we cannot even buy a business such as this one. They said one of the reasons they chose St. Joseph was for quality of life issues. Give me a break!

Many residents of Albert Lea feel that we need to take our thinking out of the box and do something different. They no longer believe that continuing to do the same old things will be effective if we just do these same things more intensively. These old ideas aren’t working! How about this idea. Let’s take $5 million and target 20 companies with 50 people each that will offer the kinds of $15-$25 per hour jobs that we are looking for. How about structuring packages for these targeted businesses that may include buildings, land and equipment. How about free rent on the buildings for a period of years? We could keep title to land, buildings and equipment until certain conditions are met.

We want to attract new companies from outside the community. Our best market is the Twin Cities. Let’s face it, operating costs up there are high, the traffic is horrible, crime is atrocious and most people don’t know how nice things are down here. Many of those who do just don’t realize that they really can do business from a small town just one hour and 10 minutes from the cities. What they do realize is that workmen’s compensation premiums and taxes are relatively high in Minnesota. They are already paying these high premiums and will not be shocked as many out of state companies are. The Twin Cities is our market and we should have teams up there working the business community on a regular basis. Why don’t we have several large billboards up there inviting them down to see us? I certainly would!

Having said this, our best market is already right here in Albert Lea. We have a diversified industrial base with many great companies. As a matter of fact, this has been true in our community for more than 100 years. Many of these companies could use a hand up also. I know of many local firms that are struggling right now. They can use all the help they can get and any help we can provide them will come back to our community many times over. Our city doesn’t need to be in partnership with industry, but it wouldn’t hurt. How about seriously offering to help them out in any way we can?

A community that is successful is one that plans well and then works its plan. To plan without implementation is simply to invite frustration and cynicism. As we prepare to develop this community strategic plan over the next few months, we need everyone’s participation. Then we need to make certain that we effectively work the plan. If we are successful, we won’t have to export our children so that they can find meaningful employment. They can all sit down with Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma for that memorable Sunday meal.

Tony Trow is an Albert Lea resident. His column appears Mondays.