The Landscape is Changing

Over the last few weeks a lot is changing and the ability of all government will be tested.

The Appleton Prison has slowed to the point that many locals have taken off to Oklahoma just to find work.

The news of the power plant will create short-term housing glut and may cause a need to restructure real estate taxes.

The price of milk puts pressure on all including family dairy many who are closing and big diaries cutting back. This will create problems in town.

We are all going to go through this change together and we should all seek solutions together.

Any thoughts or solutions?

There are a number of things that come to mind. There will be a meeting in Clinton, MN and Ken Meter will speak. He was on KWAT radio last year, discussing economic development. He will have some good ideas and the stats to back them up.
Another thing that comes to mind is that with technology being what it is, there are many jobs that people can do from anywhere.
A third thing is, what other than the basics (food, gas, shelter) what is something that would draw people? Lou's Greenhouse is booming in Big Stone City for a couple of months, and for a while before that there is employment for those who plant seeds and care for them, Milan , MN attracts people from all over the U.S. with their art and craft workshops. What do other towns around here have as a drawing card for employment/visitors.
It is time for local schools, hospitals and nursing homes to begin to use local food. There was a program in Appleton, WI that made a huge difference in student behavior problems by a change in their food offerings.
I will try to send a link.

the visual is better, it was featured in "Supersize Me" Appleton now has all their schools on this program, as are a growing number of schools accross the U.S.
http://www.feingold.org/PF/wisconsin1.html