Column: 'Boomtown USA' interesting reading
By Bob Kliebenstein
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Read any good books lately?

Let me suggest one. “Boomtown USA, the 7-1/2 Keys To Big Success In Small Towns.”

The book was written by Jack Schultz, a resident of Effingham, Ill., in 2004. Boomtown USA outlines the research conducted by Schultz as to why some small towns are prosperous and successful and others are not.

The book touched on many “buzz phrases” that many people have heard over the past few years. The book talked about branding, entrepreneurial spirit and leveraging resources. As I read the book, it was easy to envision some of the challenges facing communities in rural Wisconsin.

In fact, Schultz mentioned the communities of Baraboo, Dodgeville and St. Croix County in the book. I would strongly recommend anyone involved in economic development in Monroe County to find a copy of the book and take the time to read it.

You may already be familiar with many of the principles outlined by Schultz. He does not offer the book as a certain bullet to economic prosperity for small communities. It outlined many of the challenges that are familiar to those who work in economic development, either professionally or as a volunteer.

Those include money, apathy, jealousy, competition, folks who don’t like change, folks who want too much change too soon, positive energy, negative energy. The list goes on.

As I read the book, some of these things came to mind:

It will be interesting to watch how Downtown Tomah, Inc. evolves. The group of private citizens and business owners who have taken time to meet should be commended to get people talking about the importance of a vibrant downtown. Admitting there is room for improvement is not an admission of failure.

Speaking of downtown, I hope the community is anxiously awaiting to hear if Western Technical College will move into the former CenturyTel building just off Superior Avenue.

Since word that WTC was seeking to purchase the building and then partner with the Area Community Theatre to allow that organization to build a new theater, many people are holding their collective breath as the project evolves.

Gary Kirking, WTC-Tomah Campus administrator, said IF all the pieces fall into place, students COULD be attending classes for the 2007 fall semester at a new location. That building has been vacant too long. What a boost for the downtown to have occupants to provide educational and cultural components.

In his book, Schultz points out there will always be critics when city councils approve costly projects. That has been very evident since bonding was approved for a $2.8 million aquatic center to replace the municipal pool at Buckley Park.

Proponents view the project as a key recreational enhancement for the city. Opponents view the project as money that could be better spent elsewhere for something that is used for more than three months a year.

Both arguments have merit. But when I hear people who live in Tomah who tell me they make the 27-mile drive to Black River Falls several times each summer to use that facility at Lunda Park, it makes me lean toward the logic that an aquatic center at Buckley Park will be a “quality of life” perk that will keep those families in Tomah and attract other families from the outlying area.

Schultz notes the importance to establish events that people relate to specific communities.

Sparta has Butterfest. Wilton has Wood Turtle Days.

Tomah had Lake Tomah Fest which had established itself as a viable community event before key organizers decided to step down due to time restrictions. Lake Fest unfortunately fizzled.

Enter the Tomah Chamber of Commerce and Tomah Lions Club which has been working on separate events to attract people to Tomah.

The Tomah Chamber of Commerce Board was thinking how it could provide a boost to its Gasoline Alley Day, which since its inception was the first weekend in August, the same weekend as Wood Turtle Days, a strong community event that draws people from Tomah.

The Tomah Lions has committed money to a first-year event called Rockin Rec Park, scheduled for Aug. 19, at Recreation Park.

Representatives have been discussing how to draw people to Tomah for the day for both events.

Both events are set for Aug. 19.

A schedule of morning events is being finalized for Gasoline Alley Day to attract people to downtown Tomah. That will be followed by an afternoon/evening of live bands at Recreation Park from 1 to 11 p.m.

Will this alliance succeed? Time will tell and as Schultz notes in his book, a “can do” attitude is essential.

Watch for more details as Aug. 19 nears.

Schultz notes the need for communities to be proactive when it comes to having land for business/industrial development.

One thing I learned from a story I wrote that will appear in a special section to be published July 31 by Tomah Newspapers is that Tomah must be more proactive to purchase land for industrial development. Interstate access and a vibrant trucking industry are two keys for industrial growth. But companies can’t build where there isn’t sufficient land.

I highly recommend Boomtown USA to anyone with an economic vision for Tomah - and Monroe County. Kirking has several copies of the book at his WTC-Tomah Campus office for purchase or they can be signed out to read. If interested, give him a call at 374-7704.

Bob Kliebenstein is a staff writer for Tomah Newspapers.

Tomah, WI