Marquardt questions Corridor Director Willett on methods of securing good paying jobs

MASON CITY – Fourth Ward City Council candidate and NorthIowaToday.com Publisher Matt Marquardt this week sought answers from the North Iowa Corridor on why there was little or no progress on bringing good-paying jobs to Mason City.

Marquardt reached out to Corridor Director Brent Willett, as well as a long list of elected officials via email.  He also included Globe Gazette reporter John Skipper in the contact attempt.

“You lead Mason City’s most visible agency,” Marquardt told Mr. Willett, “tasked with hunting down new industry, economic development and theoretically, good-paying jobs.  Your agency serves an important purpose and its success is vital to our community.

“All due respect,” Marquardt told Willett, “you are now hanging your hat on jobs paying $9.50 per hour.  What can you report at this time as progress toward recruitment of jobs offering wages of $20 per hour or higher (with benefits) to Mason City?  I would like to report something positive from you today.”

Marquardt sent the email on Thursday morning, August 8th.

Mr. Willett did not respond, nor did any elected Mason City official from City Hall.

“That’s been their unwritten policy,” Marquardt said.  “You ask a tough question and they run and hide.  They ignore you.  They hide behind each other and tell themselves ‘everything will be OK.'”

Mason City taxpayers gave the North Iowa Corridor $105,000 in its last budget.  Mr. Willett recently spent thousands of those dollars to hire Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads to speak at the Corridor’s annual luncheon.

“I’m seeking answers,” Marquardt said Friday morning.  “Where are the jobs that pay good wages with benefits?  Just what, exactly, is the North Iowa Corridor doing with a budget that is hundreds of thousands of dollars?  Why are the people of Mason City and North Iowa, for that matter, continuing to throw money at an agency that obviously is bringing few or no results?  The North Iowa Corridor needs to be laid bare and sunshine brought upon it so truthful answers can be obtained and results can then, hopefully, follow from informed decisions.”

—————

See email:

from: Matt Marquardt <northiowatoday@gmail.com>
to: bwillett@northiowacorridor.com,
Brent Trout <btrout@masoncity.net>,
mayor@masoncity.net,
Council Member John Lee <WardOne@masoncity.net>,
wardtwo@masoncity.net,
wardthree@masoncity.net,
wardfour@masoncity.net,
kuhnatlarge@masoncity.net,
tornquistatlarge@masoncity.net,
Scott Flory <slawrenceflory@netins.net>,
JUrdahl@co.cerro-gordo.ia.us,
“Drzycimski, Tom” <TDrzyci@co.cerro-gordo.ia.us>,
John Skipper <John.Skipper@globegazette.com>
date: Thu, Aug 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM
subject: JOBS: North Iowa Corridor / Economic Development

Good morning Mr. Willett,

You lead Mason City’s most visible agency tasked with hunting down new industry, economic development and theoretically, good-paying jobs.  Your agency serves an important purpose and its success is vital to our community.  The people of Mason City have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into your outfit over the last 5 years and beyond, and – all due respect – you are now hanging your hat on jobs paying $9.50 per hour, jobs our own At-Large City Council member described Tuesday night as “only slightly above minimum wage” (Quote from Scott Tornquist, see video here: http://youtu.be/22-nJ-bYjsQ).

I have questions for you this morning that I feel deserve answers.

How many employees are currently working for you?

Your website shows three (http://www.northiowacorridor.com/staff).  On another page on your website, you show two “new hires” Shaun Arneson and Rachel Bailey, not listed with the staff page. (http://www.northiowacorridor.com/node/77)

You recently had your website redesigned.  Why is (it) not updated properly with accurate information?  Is your staff trained to update your website?

What are the functions and job descriptions of all your (3-5) employees?  Do they have their own separate offices or do they share office space?  What are their salaries?  What can you report at this time as progress toward recruitment of jobs offering wages of $20 per hour or higher (with benefits) to Mason City?  I would like to report something positive from you today.

I have asked previously for a tour of your office space at the North Iowa Commerce Center and was turned down.  I would respectfully make that request again.  I will come in at anytime and change my schedule accordingly to accommodate yours.  I want to see what $26,000 per year in rent pays for.

Lastly.  What is the status of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund?  (http://www.northiowacorridor.com/sites/default/files/Small%20Biz%20RLF%20-%20JULY%202011.pdf)  Is this program still available?  Why is it not publicized?  What businesses have participated in this program in the last three years?  How much funding has each business taken and have they paid the loans back?  Why do we need the MicroEnterprise program if we have loans available to small businesses and start-ups?  How does a business owner apply and who determines if they qualify?

I anticipate your prompt response to these questions, have a nice day.

Matt Marquardt, NIT Publisher and Candidate for Fourth Ward City Council