Topic: What's holding A.L. Back?
started by: Colorado Conservative
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 15 2006,11:35 am
I am glad I grew up in A.L., but have always wondered what is holdin this town back.It is located on two major interstates, in America's heartland, with two wonderful lakes (in appearance anyway), and everyone I know who has bee THROUGH there, and doesn't live there, says what a pretty little town it is.
Tourism could be a huge boom for the economy; wonderful logistics for shipping (wharehouses, manufacturing, etc..) yet the town seems to struggle with it's economy (and don't tell me it is everywhere- the Twin Cities burbs are sprawling, Des Moines is growing, Colorado's Front range is out of control with growth)
Is it local goverment? I know personnally that the younger people in A.L. are VERY apathetic, and just don't care, at least not about anyone but themselves, is this the problem? Is it State goverment? Are local business and local goverment too tightly knitted together? (again, business owners are much more likely to be actively involved in goverment, they have more at stake as well as the ambition to DO SOMETHING, that is why they are business owners)
Give me your thoughts!!!!!!
Posted by Berserker on Feb. 15 2006,12:00 pm
Young people in Albert Lea do care. I am a young person in Albert Lea with a young family, I was born and raised here and would like to live here. However as far as job market goes, if you get a college degree you are pretty well forced to look into other towns for jobs. Albert Lea has numerous jobs that require degrees, but these are specialty types usually, or so it would seem. I do not work at a location that utilizes my degree that much, the amount it does is actually grasping at straws, it is an archive of primary documents that are reprinted because they are out of date. Could I look else where to work, I am. However I bought a house here, and have 2 children that I would like to have raised in a community that I can "trust", I know bad things can happen anywhere, the meth in this county is a prime example, however I know that my children are relatively more safe in this community then they are in Mnpls or StPaul. I also know that most locations that my family would like to go to are within driving distance, I am not going to say I only spend here and that is the way it should be, because things I want are not always for sale here. As far as the local government goes, it seems as though if you are young or old with "new" ideas you are fighting an uphill battle. Good ideas are squashed and put on the back burner, some ideas that have been brought up would not work here, but because they seem like far flung thoughts, people start to ignore their originator. There are alot of back room deals and back scratching that happens in our local government, however it would seem that the amount may be less then anywhere else, the percentage is most likely similar by population. There are also people in town who have great ideas for growing this community but refuse to put forth ideas based on past experiences with the government. Some people, plainly don't care.
Tourist town, new industry, new commercial ventures, all these things sound good on paper. The actuality of it, is that many of these things take time, money and compromise. These are hard to reach but can and SHOULD be done. The town needs to stop living in a "curmudgeon" type stance, thinking that what is good enough or was good enough is top notch for our ever changing community. Before to long "we" will have run all the "new" blood out of town and be left with "antediluvian" ideals.
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 15 2006,2:36 pm
EVERYTHING takes time, money and compromise (even in communism). But there are always more than answer to any problem. It is just a matter of finding what the problem really is.
Posted by usmcr on Feb. 15 2006,4:32 pm
i am a resident of Albert Lea for 60+ years. i am now retired & fortunately had a decent paying & secure job. from this perspective i offer these insights. when i was growing up as a teenager in the 50"s it was the mom & pop stores that was the glue that held this community together. the uptown was indeed the focus of the community. the jobs were fairly stable as were the taxes. the owners of these stores were local people who were a integral part of the community. it all began with the malls & continues today with the big box stores. the big box stores & mall have pretty well decimated the uptown. the job situation is shaky & the taxes have ballooned. i have two daughters & a son who all have college degrees. two of them like small town living but realize that the wage base or job opportunities are not available here. with the outsourcing of jobs overseas it is apparent that it is unlikely that will change in the near future. the population of freeborn county is decreasing & i believe will continue to do so. without a higher education (4 year college) cultural & entertainment choices it will be difficult to attract a major concern. i fear the jobz program will one day create a undue burden on the tax paying public. 10 to 12 years is just to long to be freeloading! when driving back from the cities it is very apparent with the traffic on I35. from the cities down to northfield it is pretty steady, from nf to fairbault it is ok, from f. to owatonna it is dropping off & from o. to a.lea it is but a trickle from what it was. the point being is that the cities have most of the action & will to continue to do so. new high school & court house with a declining tax base = higher taxes. freeborn county has a aging population, its main jobs are in the health & care sector. it would seem prudent to capitalize on this factor with the realization that the baby boomers are on the verge of retirement.
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 15 2006,4:50 pm
our society is moving towards a service based economy, we no longer make things here, we just consume, and with this consumer based economy, there are plenty of opportunities for small to medium sized service based industries. The area I live in in Colorado is booming in all aspects, but what we are seeing the fastest increase in is the health care feild, especially care of the elderly, with this comes retirement communities, construction, food services, and the company I own is a landscape maintanence company (all of these new complexes have open spaces which need taken care of), it doesn't matter where the growth comes from, but there needs to be growth, with growth comes opportunities, I would venture to say that we will see a return to more small business, the service industry is the best place for small business to survive, you don't have to compete with the big boys on price on goods, you just need to provide a needed service, at a fair price with exceptional customer service (try and get that from a national retailer, or a long established business) I think Albert Lea could be an Ideal location for an upscale retirement community, tourism around the lakes, sometimes that college degree can work against us, we need to make it work for us, in a service based economy, we need to forge are own niche, you can not rely on that big manufacturer to be there for jobs (remember Wilson's/Farmland), in a service based economy, if you can carve out a needed service, people will gladly pay for it, it is just a matter of knowing your demographics, and what they need. With growth comes prosperity for everyone, without it, well I just can't imagine that.
Posted by greatlakes on Feb. 15 2006,5:11 pm
i am here
Posted by Liberal on Feb. 15 2006,5:24 pm
Things are gonna start happening now!| Quote |
Senator wants gas prices in whole cents, not 9/10ths Updated: 02-15-2006 11:12:52 AM ST. PAUL (AP) - Sick of paying that extra nine-tenths of a cent for a gallon of gas? Senator Dick Day wants to force gas stations to get rid of the fraction when they set their prices. The Republican from Owatonna says the practice comes from a time when pennies had more buying power. Today, he says the fractions are -- quote -- "just plain silly." Day plans to push a bill in the upcoming legislative session to require gas prices to be in whole cents. He says the measure would result in more truthful advertising. Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. |
Posted by greatlakes on Feb. 15 2006,5:31 pm
The jobs that are brought into this town are more than likely to be something to do with pizzas or car washes or gas stations or banks.I happen to get lucky with my job or else i would have left years ago.Like my dad always said,,,,,Albert lea is a retirement town.Go back when you retire.A nice slow paced town where business owners do not want the competition cause they charge way too much for their crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!no BIG business will come here cause our local gvnt. freaks them out.
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 15 2006,5:38 pm
wow, what worthy legislation, of all the things that need attention, this guy hits the nail on the head!!!!!! and of course the press eats it up, what about welfare reform (you know, instead of paying single mothers to stay home and have more kids, providing them with daycare instead, and making them work or go to school), or healthcare reform (I'm a small business owner, healthcare is as much as wages- well, almost), I know, next on the list is a bill to let people know that driving while asleep may be hazzardous to your health...........
Posted by ICU812 on Feb. 15 2006,5:48 pm
< This could be holdin' er back. >
Posted by greatlakes on Feb. 15 2006,6:00 pm
if you own a small business in al you better be selling something people need and want at a reasonable price.otherwise we go to wal-mart.Why not i like to save money,too.just like a small business would.how else would i pay for that overpriced gas?
Posted by bnkrpt on Feb. 15 2006,8:15 pm
I wouldnt even try the " AL is on two huge interstates" tactic if i was you, ive gone over it before lol. but i also think that saying that the young people in AL dont care is a bold statement. ive lived there since i was 2 (im 20 now) and now i live in Austin but I always hope for the best for AL. i dont like it very well now the way things are but i really hope things turn around and it gets to be a great city like it should be, it'll take time i guess. I know there are a lot of younger people that could care less about AL but ya know what, theres a lot of older people that are the same way so to put that brand on one group of people is pretty shady.
Posted by cea on Feb. 16 2006,12:42 am
I'm young and took my shot at improving Albert Lea. The lesson I learned is not to even try in Albert Lea, it’s that simple.
Posted by Wolfie on Feb. 16 2006,2:04 am
I own a business in town I started in 1997 and its going good still, not great or fantastic but good, keeps me happy. I resent the implication that business' in this town charge too much for thier products. My prices are competitive, but I do one thing that many others dont, I provide service after the fact. I patronize the other mom and pop stores in town as much as possible. I would rather do business with someone I can look in the eye and talk to than someone who see me as a number, or how many items I have and how fast they can be scanned. One observation I have made in my almost nine years in business, is that AL does have a larger percentage of the "Get something for nothing" crowd. You know the guys that will drive to the cities (pay the gas and the meal at the resteraunt) to get something for a couple bucks cheaper or a couple days earlier.
Posted by Scurvy Dog on Feb. 16 2006,8:51 am
Years ago, some of my friends thought about opening an alcohol-free dance club for the under-21 set to have something to do. They circulated petitions throughout the high school, gathering much support, and proposed their idea to the city. Paul Sparks shot it down, saying he saw no need for it, but a few weeks later Pour Boys got approval to have an alcohol-free teen night once a week. It was alleged that Sparks was friends with the owners of Pour Boys (I can't substantiate this).Given the above example, I would say it's the "Old Boys' Network" that's holding us back. They want to hang on to THEIR Albert Lea of the past and not move into the future. Our best shot is to vote them out of office, or better yet, run against them. The ones who stay in power will eventually die out, and our generation can elect/hire new personnel who actually think ahead instead of thinking back.
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 16 2006,8:58 am
I think the something for nothing crowd is everywhere, but even those guys will stick around, and pay a little more for the same product if:a. You have the same or comparible product
b. You give superior customer service, make them remember you and thier experience at you place of business.
c. Give them a reason to come back or use your services again.
In my return visits to Albert Lea, the one thing that I notice, is the lack of customer service, and I'm not talking about wally world or the other box stores, we expect that from them. Very few places of business go the extra mile, very few take an interest in their customer, what happened to service with a smile.
Now I'm generalizing here, not every business in A.L. suffers from these ailments, but I worked in the automotive tire and repair business for 12 years in management, and was considering opening a store in A.L. for some time for this very reason. I would go to parts stores, tire stores, and test there customer service skills, I was shocked by how horrible the service was at every place I went to (several different places over the course of a year).
Part of this is probably just the lack of competition for so long, and now everyone is just complacant. Now, while this problem isn't unique to A.L., most everywhere else these type of establishments get weeded out over time due to hungry competition (which A.L. is sorely lacking). Competition is good, and the little guy can compete with the big guy, and even have an advantage in customer service. I have since started a service business in Colorado, and am stealing away the national chains customers left and right, all with word of mouth advertising, the difference is customer service, I'm not cheaper, I just keep my customers informed, happy, and stay proactive to what their needs are. This is more work than the actual services we provide, but it is paying off, we will hopefully have customers for life as opposed to a one time sale.
As an outsider looking in, this is what I see lacking in A.L.'s business community. Not just great customer service to those you personally know, but great customer service to all of the customers that come through your door, or call you.
Honesty, integrity, and great customer service will beat out price every time, but if they can get the same crappy service at wally world for less money, of course they will.
Posted by irisheyes on Feb. 16 2006,12:29 pm
| Quote (greatlakes @ Feb. 15 2006,6:00pm) |
| if you own a small business in al you better be selling something people need and want at a reasonable price.otherwise we go to wal-mart |
I'm not trying to demonize big box retailers, but you can't compare them to specialty stores, or mom & pop shops. There's reasons that they can charge so little. Obviously, they're buying in incredible bulk amount, so a small store isn't going to offer the same price, cause they can't get it for that price. Another thing, I think wally world is great for toothpaste, shampoo, zip lock bags, etc. But if you're making a bigger purchase, don't think that because it says it's a certain brand, that it's the same thing you'd get at another business.
Another thing is customer service, which is incredibly expensive. If I pickup a plumbing item at a big box retailer for $3, that might be a hell of a deal compared to the $8 or $10 I'd pay at Bob's plumbing & handyman store. Difference is Bob's plumbing is probably a better product, and Bob might spend 2 hours explaining to some nitwit like me how to do the job right, so I don't have to spend the rest of the night fumbling around with the wet-dry vac, lol. Just an example, this applies to a lot of other stuff.
Posted by ICU812 on Feb. 16 2006,12:57 pm
| Quote |
| Bob's plumbing & handyman store |
Great, now you're gonna get Bob mad.
Posted by Botto 82 on Feb. 16 2006,1:28 pm
| Quote (irisheyes @ Feb. 16 2006,12:29pm) |
| There's reasons that they can charge so little. Obviously, they're buying in incredible bulk amount, so a small store isn't going to offer the same price, cause they can't get it for that price. |
This is roughly half of the equation, the other half being shelves stocked to the ceiling with goods made by Chinese workers, working under conditions that would have been considered abominable by 1910 standards.
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 16 2006,1:33 pm
| Quote (Botto 82 @ Feb. 16 2006,12:28pm) | ||
This is roughly half of the equation, the other half being shelves stocked to the ceiling with goods made by Chinese workers, working under conditions that would have been considered abominable by 1910 standards. |
but who is to blame for that? if we keep purchasing the lowest priced goods, we just keep feeding the box store machine, which in turn keeps dictating production price, which in turn moves production over seas where they can ship the raw materials, get the product built, ship it back, and keep the price where the consumer wants it (and then we complain how nothing is quality built anymore)
Posted by jimhanson on Feb. 16 2006,2:44 pm
The poll shows 19-5 showing same or better predictions for the area.And people say the Forum is negative?
Posted by Colorado Conservative on Feb. 16 2006,4:40 pm
that's assuming that "the same as the present" in the poll is a positive feedback, which I can't answer that, but I'm sure the rest of you can.
Posted by jimhanson on Feb. 16 2006,6:23 pm
Good point, CC, but considering the loss of the packing plant, and the state of the rest of the border counties in Minnesota, I will take "same" as a GOOD thing.
Posted by riffraff on Feb. 16 2006,6:38 pm
Posted by Merlyn on Feb. 16 2006,8:15 pm
| Quote (riffraff @ Feb. 16 2006,6:38pm) |
| ron gabrielsen,sparks and the rest of the good ole boys. |
riffraff,
Were you dropped on your head as a baby or is it one to many hockey pucks off the noggin?
Posted by red rocker on Feb. 16 2006,10:05 pm
As most of you frequent forum readers know, I recently moved back here after being away for 20 years. I was very fortunate to have a "back up plan" because I was unable to find a job that would not only pay me a decent wage but really something that I was qualified for. Yeah, Albert Lea is not a hot bed for nightlife but if you do have a family and are willing to sacrafice somewhat, it is a nice place to raise a family. Small business is king(with a few exceptions). That is what keeps the economy going. I do my best to purchase my goods from the local folks. I will say this, until the "good ole boys" are gone, the city will not grow. I have always thought Albert Lea is kinda like a bubble, no one gets in and no one gets out.
Posted by REPOMAN on Feb. 16 2006,10:47 pm
| Quote (red rocker @ Feb. 16 2006,10:05pm) |
| I recently moved back here after being away for 20 years. I have always thought Albert Lea is kinda like a bubble, no one gets in and no one gets out. |
well Einstein - that makes perfect sense...
except you got out and you got back in...
Posted by fresno on Feb. 17 2006,4:22 pm
damn right merlyn, tell that lunatic riffraff to get a life, you know whats cookin don't you merly. 
Posted by MR.D'S HELMET BREATH on Feb. 17 2006,4:31 pm
merlyn have you even ever been with a woman? or are you trying to make up for something that is lacking, wanting eveyone to think you are all macho huh, with that avatar? Cmon get real buddy!
Posted by Older and Wiser on Feb. 17 2006,7:48 pm
Repoman, Fresno and Mrs D's whatever, the discussion was serious and meaningful until you three posters put your hand to keypad. Who cares?
Posted by banquo on Feb. 17 2006,10:07 pm
| Quote (MR.D'S HELMET BREATH @ Feb. 17 2006,4:31pm) |
| merlyn have you even ever been with a woman? or are you trying to make up for something that is lacking, wanting eveyone to think you are all macho huh, with that avitar? Cmon get real buddy! |
Well I gotta say that I kinda like Merlyn's avitar. I bet he never thought that it would create such a stir!
Welcome to the forum Mr D.
Seems to be a lot of new posters since the trib article.
Posted by Merlyn on Feb. 18 2006,7:22 am
| Quote (MR.D'S HELMET BREATH @ Feb. 17 2006,4:31pm) |
| merlyn have you even ever been with a woman? or are you trying to make up for something that is lacking, wanting eveyone to think you are all macho huh, with that avitar? Cmon get real buddy! |
Yet another example of our fine Albert Lea School system.
BTY, What is an "avitar"?
Posted by Merlyn on Feb. 18 2006,7:25 am
| Quote (fresno @ Feb. 17 2006,4:22pm) |
| damn right merlyn, tell that lunatic riffraff to get a life, you know whats cookin don't you merly. |
As repo would say "well Einstein - that makes perfect sense... "
Posted by fresno on Feb. 18 2006,9:44 am
einstein rules merly einstein must have done something right he even has an element named after him #99 gee i wonder who also is a genius and has that number could it be,yes WAYNE GRETZKY! and also i'm a glutton for punishement!
Posted by fresno on Feb. 18 2006,10:15 am
Name: Einsteinium Symbol: Es
Atomic Number: 99
Atomic Mass: (252.0) amu
Melting Point: Unknown
Boiling Point: Unknown
Number of Protons/Electrons: 99
Number of Neutrons: 153
Classification: Rare Earth
Crystal Structure: Unknown
Density @ 293 K: Unknown
Color: Unknown
Posted by MR.D'S HELMET BREATH on Feb. 18 2006,11:14 am
avatar's rule!
Posted by banquo on Feb. 19 2006,9:45 am
| Quote (Merlyn @ Feb. 18 2006,7:22am) | ||
Yet another example of our fine Albert Lea School system. BTY, What is an "avitar"? |
Oops, should have checked sp.
Posted by Pretzel Logic on Feb. 20 2006,6:37 pm
| Quote (Scurvy Dog @ Feb. 16 2006,8:51am) |
| Years ago, some of my friends thought about opening an alcohol-free dance club for the under-21 set to have something to do. They circulated petitions throughout the high school, gathering much support, and proposed their idea to the city. Paul Sparks shot it down, saying he saw no need for it, but a few weeks later Pour Boys got approval to have an alcohol-free teen night once a week. It was alleged that Sparks was friends with the owners of Pour Boys (I can't substantiate this). Given the above example, I would say it's the "Old Boys' Network" that's holding us back. They want to hang on to THEIR Albert Lea of the past and not move into the future. Our best shot is to vote them out of office, or better yet, run against them. The ones who stay in power will eventually die out, and our generation can elect/hire new personnel who actually think ahead instead of thinking back. |
I always kinda wondered what happened to that gal who ran the teen club that the city donated to. What ever happened to all the stuff that was in there ? Did she pack and run after the donation jar dried up ? Taking all of that sound and lighting equipment? It seems that so much money dissappears and there is no accountability for where it went, what happened and why? Can anyone shed any light on how the old College dorms out by the city arena was allowed to fall into the state it was before it was renovated. I was out there once and could not believe that some one or a group of somebodys did not care about the absolute destruction and vandalism that was vented upon the place. Was this a state College or a private one. Was some institution paying tax on it while it sat empty or was it bought out of a tax lien.
Posted by Self-Banished on Mar. 04 2006,10:30 am
I think Scurvy is right, the "old school crowd" is trying to keep the area of the "60's" and "70"s" or at least's that's the feeling I get everytime I go home. There is tremendous potential for the area, the logistics, the work force that's there now and what could be attracted and all it would take is some more enlightened leadership. There is enough for all, big box companies to Mom & Pop, (Trading Post in Gordonsville proves that)