Last Updated on June 2, 2019 by cassnetwork
Since 2016, Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell has shared updates from the city in a monthly column on Cass County Online.
Dave Kitchell
For those finishing a high school or college degree this month, congratulations not only to them, but the support system behind them that allowed them to receive a diploma and look for their first full-time employment.
In many years, it’s been easy to hear complaints that the job market is tight locally, but this year is not the case. Statistics provided last week by the state report 334 job openings in Cass County. When you factor in surrounding counties, the numbers multiply dramatically.
The wage news also is positive. A recent report on WLFI said that Tippecanoe County has the greatest wage growth of any of the nation’s 3,000 counties. That can only make wages more competitive for workers throughout our region. Locally, we’ve been advised that wage growth is outpacing employment growth as workers leave.
Before and during this administration, I’ve heard the concerns for better paying jobs. While job creation and raises in salaries keeping pace with demand in a shrinking labor market doesn’t always make the front page or the first item on the television news, it’s good to note that May is the month when local businesses have to file reports on their compliance with the city’s tax abatement incentives. That information will be presented to the city council, and it tells a good story.
- First, there are 10 companies with a combined 17 abatements. Another company received two abatements, but is still completing its expansion.
- Second, when you compare the actual numbers of employees from the beginning of those abatements forward, we’ve gained 113 new employees for a 3.88 percent increase, and wages jumped $27.9 million for a 25.7 percent increase in those industries alone.
- Of the 10 companies reviewed, Tyson represents 68 percent of the total workforce and 66 percent of the total salaries. Its growth is significant because Tyson also represents our No. 1 consumer of city utilities and generator of local income tax revenue that stays in our community to create more jobs and growth.
- Finally, not all jobs are created by abatement. Government jobs at places such as Logansport State Hospital, Logansport Memorial Hospital, Four County Counseling Center and Logansport Community School Corporation are not connected to abatement. Meanwhile, population statistics show that we’ve grown by nearly 600 residents in the past four years.
Downtown Logansport continues to be a positive story for the city. Naming Logansport one of America’s top 10 finalist in the Main Street Contest is a feather in our cap, and more improvements are coming. May was a month that saw city streets milled in preparation for paving and the September opening of the new Market Street Bridge.
Our city parks also are moving forward with a grant application for a master plan for Riverside Park redevelopment. A major million-dollar grant in Carroll County will further enhance our efforts to establish a regional trail junction in downtown Logansport.
More workers underscores our need and plans for more housing in the community. Work is progressing on Logan Square, the ReVere Homes project and on new homes at the intersection of High Street and Yorktown Road.
Although trade tariffs and the closure of the Square D plant in Peru have had an impact on industries and the workforce, the timing for both issues could not be better than right now. Interest in our local economy is strong, and our mall redevelopment is a front burner issue with the developer who has an option to move forward with new investment on the site. The city has completed two-thirds of the environmental tests necessary to repurpose the site, and the developer recently returned from a retail recruiting convention.
It has been a challenging spring for our farmers and farm-related industries. Many will be working extra hours in the coming weeks to catch up. While they don’t live in the city, they support our local economy and are a vital part of what makes Logansport a strong agribusiness community.
It is a privilege to serve you as taxpayers, ratepayers and members of our community. If you have a comment, a question, a concern or a suggestion, don’t hesitate to call me at (574) 753-2551, or e-mail me at dkitchell@cityoflogansport.org.