MONROE - Which comes first - new business or housing for workers to fill those jobs?
The issue of housing resurfaced Tuesday as participants met to hammer out ideas for encouraging economic development in Monroe. The meeting was the second to focus on economic development as part of a series of community input meetings facilitated by the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Input will be used to create an updated community comprehensive plan. Previous meeting topics have included housing, transportation, the arts and recreation.
Only 31 percent of people who work in Monroe live here, according to SWWRPC statistics. More than two-thirds of those who work here live somewhere outside the city.
That prompted a question that's been raised at several previous meetings: Why don't more people want to live in Monroe?
Some participants said it's the lack of appropriate housing. And while housing was addressed in separate meetings earlier this summer, many have said housing is an integral factor in economic development. Monroe lacks a variety of housing choices for different age groups, and this prevents people from relocating to Monroe when they accept jobs here, which may ultimately shorten their longevity, they said.
But Colin Simpson, director of public works for Monroe, offered a different viewpoint, suggesting discussion of economic development should not focus on housing.
"Every corporate site selector will tell you that housing is not a factor in the conversation," he said. Instead, companies looking to relocate are more concerned with transportation and resources. After locating a business in a community, "housing will follow," he said.
Others disagreed.
Housing plays into his company's ability to attract and retain employees, said John Baumann, president and CEO of Colony Brands. When employees live here, "the "stick' rate is much higher."
Participants broke into two groups to look at themes defined at the first meeting held last week: Industry clusters, labor force housing, workforce training and education, workforce wellness and productivity, job opportunity awareness and perception, a livable Monroe, physical resources and infrastructure, and culture of growth and development.
A few of the ideas presented to address those themes were:
• Redesign zoning code
• "Fast track" approval for new housing developments needed for urgent business growth
• Target blighted areas in the city for redevelopment
• Consider re-establishing arterial corridors into the city
• Develop more career exploration programs highlighting local businesses, including at the middle school level
• Grow concept of health assessments for employees
• Compile specific information on what type and number of jobs that need to be filled in the city
SWWRPC's next community input meeting will focus on utilities and energy management. It will be from noon until 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Behring Senior Center.
The issue of housing resurfaced Tuesday as participants met to hammer out ideas for encouraging economic development in Monroe. The meeting was the second to focus on economic development as part of a series of community input meetings facilitated by the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Input will be used to create an updated community comprehensive plan. Previous meeting topics have included housing, transportation, the arts and recreation.
Only 31 percent of people who work in Monroe live here, according to SWWRPC statistics. More than two-thirds of those who work here live somewhere outside the city.
That prompted a question that's been raised at several previous meetings: Why don't more people want to live in Monroe?
Some participants said it's the lack of appropriate housing. And while housing was addressed in separate meetings earlier this summer, many have said housing is an integral factor in economic development. Monroe lacks a variety of housing choices for different age groups, and this prevents people from relocating to Monroe when they accept jobs here, which may ultimately shorten their longevity, they said.
But Colin Simpson, director of public works for Monroe, offered a different viewpoint, suggesting discussion of economic development should not focus on housing.
"Every corporate site selector will tell you that housing is not a factor in the conversation," he said. Instead, companies looking to relocate are more concerned with transportation and resources. After locating a business in a community, "housing will follow," he said.
Others disagreed.
Housing plays into his company's ability to attract and retain employees, said John Baumann, president and CEO of Colony Brands. When employees live here, "the "stick' rate is much higher."
Participants broke into two groups to look at themes defined at the first meeting held last week: Industry clusters, labor force housing, workforce training and education, workforce wellness and productivity, job opportunity awareness and perception, a livable Monroe, physical resources and infrastructure, and culture of growth and development.
A few of the ideas presented to address those themes were:
• Redesign zoning code
• "Fast track" approval for new housing developments needed for urgent business growth
• Target blighted areas in the city for redevelopment
• Consider re-establishing arterial corridors into the city
• Develop more career exploration programs highlighting local businesses, including at the middle school level
• Grow concept of health assessments for employees
• Compile specific information on what type and number of jobs that need to be filled in the city
SWWRPC's next community input meeting will focus on utilities and energy management. It will be from noon until 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Behring Senior Center.