Over the span of several days in late May, forecasters warned of historic flooding in and around Iola.
The worst of those predictions failed to materialize, but the near miss still packed a punch.
Take, for example, Tramec Sloan, manufacturer of air brake components for heavy trucks and large trailers in Iola for nearly 40 years.
Situated in Iolas low-lying Davis Addition, a good portion of Tramec Sloans 70 employees were there during the infamous 2007 flood, which shuttered the plant for a time.
And we were warned it was going to be even worse this time around, recalled Nancy Becker, plant and quality assurance manager.
So crews worked overnight as the predictions grew more dire, removing what they could.
I think the last of us went home at 4:30 the next morning, Becker said.
Then eager to get back into production mode, and thinking the worst had passed within a day or so employees began returning to the plant, only to have to pull back out when another round of storms threatened additional flooding.
The simple threat of a flood was proving just as costly as a flood would have been.
It was at that point, company officials handed down an edict: If Tramec Sloan were to stay open in Iola, it would not be at 30 Davis St.
It just wasnt financially smart to do so, said Dee Sell, who retired in July as the plants senior vice president for engineering. It was tremendously expensive to pick up and move back in, and thats not counting the lost production.
WHAT A difference six months makes.
Becker, Sell and others spoke Wednesday at Tramec Sloans new Iola quarters, the old Herff Jones plant at 2502 N. State St.
The occasion was a ribbon tying ceremony rather than a ribbon-cutting to symbolize being united or tied together to the community, Jill Hartman, executive director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, explained.
On hand were several Chamber members, representatives of Iola Industries and Thrive Allen County, Tramec Sloan officials and scores of employees.
