Camille Lavon spent her first six months as economic development director for Iola and Allen County doing a lot of listening and learning. Her goal: to become as intimately familiar as possible with what the…

Hit the ground running? Camille Lavon arrived as economic development director for Iola and Allen County last summer, going at Usain Bolt-like speed. In the six months since, Lavon has garnered a greater appreciation for…

With much of the preliminary work in place, Iolans can expect reconstruction of U.S. 54 to begin sometime in the middle of 2026. Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock briefed City Council members on the project…

Iola City Council members will consider a request Monday to help fund a new economic development project for Iola and Allen County. Thrive Allen County is requesting a one-time, $15,000 increase to the city’s economic…

One of her biggest challenges as economic development director for Iola and Allen County is for Camille Lavon to operate proactively, and not reactively. “We can’t expect things to just come to us,” Lavon said.…

HUMBOLDT — “Humboldt, you bring the fun to Allen County,” Camille Lavon told Humboldt Council members Monday night.  At least that’s the impression Lavon has gained since her three months as Thrive Allen County’s new…

As a long-time merchant and now chair of the Iola Industries Board of Directors, Mary Kay Heard has seen her share of Iola’s triumphs — and its heartbreaks. She’s seen industries come and go, startups…

Camille Lavon may be new to Allen County, but she’s no stranger to economic development. She’s bringing a wealth of experience and a listening ear to her new role as economic development director for Thrive…

Allen County Sheriff Anthony Maness appeared before the county commissioners Tuesday morning to clarify a lingering question: Who is responsible for the county’s 500-foot communications tower at the landfill? Originally proposed in 2018 by then-Sheriff…

“The general goal of economic development is to provide a community with the resources necessary to retain and increase its population,” summarized Jared Wheeler, Thrive Economic Development Director, in his annual report to Allen County…