Allen County joins industry negotiations

Add Allen County to those willing to chip in to woo a new industry to Iola. Its target destination is the Haldex Brake plant, which closed nearly three years ago.
Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to make available up to $15,000 to provide incentives to the company, which was identified last week as 2R Tool, Humboldt, owned by Catalyst Artificial Lift, Gainesville, Texas. The company manufactures oilfield equipment.
Commissioner Jim Talkington moved for the county to lend financial support, after having been contacted by David Toland, Thrive Allen County executive director, and others negotiating with the company.
John McRae, representing Iola Industries, the third leg of the negotiating stool, and Toland met with commissioners in executive session, called under provisions of the Kansas Open Meetings Act pertaining to “confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations…” No comments were made afterward.
McRae did not specify what Iola Industries’ financial role is, nor has the city, which gave its negotiating reins to Toland following a special meeting last Thursday evening. Toland said only that the city’s effort had “multiple components.”
It is not uncommon for a city to provide in-kind assistance, such as utility work, as well as cash in economic development.
Commission Chairman Dick Works said whatever money the county provided likely would come from landfill reserves. He allowed the company’s move to Iola and its growth “would be good for all of Allen County.”

OTHERWISE, commissioners:
— Tabled a request from Allen County Animal Rescue Facility for the county to give it old road signs when they were replaced. Bill King, director of Public Works, said ACARF wanted to sell the signs in fundraising.
— Learned dedication of the hiking and biking trail atop the old railroad right of way between Iola and Humboldt will be at 2 p.m. June 8. The event will coincide with Humboldt’s dedication of Neosho River Park that evening at 5 o’clock.
— Viewed seven trees on the courthouse lawn that “look pretty poor,” according to Ron Holman, head of maintenance. “The last couple of years has been hard on trees,” said Works, adding that commissioners “will replace them as soon as we can.”