City to hire economic development director; $15,000 grant eyed for downtown marketing

Economic development staff updated the Iola City Council on initiatives to support downtown businesses during substantial road construction, including imminent interviews to hire a director focused on entrepreneurs and small businesses and early plans to use a $15,000 revitalization grant.

The staff member said interviews for the new economic development director are under way and the hire is expected in roughly four to six weeks. "We are having interviews next week… the person is going to be focusing very specifically with entrepreneurs and small business," the staff member said, describing plans for weekly visits, business check‑ins and outreach to help merchants remain open during construction.

Staff also described partnering with Thrive Allen County and Iola Industries on a $15,000 grant for downtown revitalization and said they are exploring radio spots, Facebook advertising and a small‑business series to boost marketing. "There's $15,000 right now allocated to our downtown corridor, and I'm going to try and figure out with their assistance exactly what it could cover," the staff member said.

Other ideas discussed included hiring downtown ambassadors or interns to produce brief weekly walk‑through videos and materials for customers, and borrowing practices from Dodge City that included contractor‑hosted weekly meetings and targeted communications to affected business owners. A resident asked whether temporary utility relief could be used as a gesture during construction; economic development staff said they will research how other cities implemented such measures and report back to council.

Staff asked council members and community members to forward ideas and local data that would help tailor support to businesses during the construction period. The update did not include a final plan for disbursing the $15,000 grant; staff said they will return with recommendations after further research.