Richard Switzer, executive director of the Marceline Industrial Development Authority, noted three key businesses that have settled in Marceline or expanded operations there since fiber became available to them.<\/p>\n
Karvd, a manufacturer initially based 12 miles away, wanted to expand. High-speed internet was a factor in its decision to obtain and renovate an abandoned building in Marceline, where it manufactures cabinet components for major home improvement stores.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey liked the work ethic and small-town atmosphere,\u201d observed Switzer.<\/p>\n
CoffeeTree, a customer call center for regional and national companies, also purchased an abandoned building in downtown Marceline. The company renovated the building and hired about two dozen people to staff it. High-speed internet is critical to the company\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n
Nature\u2019s Grace and Wellness, a medical cannabis company, chose to build a new facility in Marceline, in part, because it needed high-speed internet to connect with suppliers and customers.<\/p>\n The business requires a lot of electricity. As a result, the company\u2019s presence has the additional benefit of boosting revenues for the community-owned utility company. \u00a0That additional income is being re-invested in the community\u2019s aging infrastructure.<\/p>\n Walt Disney\u2019s Hometown<\/strong><\/p>\n Walt Disney spent his formative years (age five to 10) in Marceline and always remembered the town fondly \u2014 so fondly that, after his death, his sister sent 3000 family artifacts to the town, some of which are now on display at the town\u2019s Walt Disney Museum.<\/p>\n The museum predates the deployment of fiber in Marceline but it has seen benefits from the arrival of high-speed broadband in the community. Previously there was only one restaurant in the town, which closed at 3:00 p.m., Switzer told us. Today the town has five restaurants, serving museum goers, as well as new employees at the three new company locations and residents, including new residents who have moved to town.<\/p>\n New Residents<\/strong><\/p>\n Dave Tavres, a California native, software program manager and Disney historian, was attracted by Marceline\u2019s hometown vibe.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to move here 15 years ago but as a computer geek I couldn\u2019t,\u201d he told Telecompetitor. \u201cThe day I found out about the fiber, I started packing.\u201d<\/p>\n Tavres clearly isn\u2019t alone in viewing Marceline as a great place to live. One of the town\u2019s biggest challenges right now is ensuring that there is enough housing for new people to move in, noted Switzer, who is looking at arranging for the conversion of a former hospital location into new housing units.<\/p>\n In addition to the new restaurants, the town also has gained several retail businesses since fiber came to town noted Jesse W. Wallis, Marceline\u2019s city manager. While not all those businesses may need high-speed internet, the businesses could be viewed as a by-product of fiber\u2019s arrival. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you bring more people into town, you need more services,\u201d observed Wallis.<\/p>\n What can other communities and the broadband providers that serve them learn from Marceline\u2019s experiences?<\/p>\n It\u2019s very helpful for those responsible for economic development to \u201ckeep their feet on the street\u201d as the saying goes. CoffeeTree\u2019s exploration of Marceline as a possible location stemmed from a Brookshire Group\u2019s Community Venture Network event in Minneapolis where Switzer\u2019s predecessor met a key CoffeeTree decision-maker and talked up the town.<\/p>\n \u201cBrookshire Group promotes rural advocacy via the Community Venture Network, connecting businesses with rural communities<\/a>,\u201d Switzer explained.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to see broadband as part of a suite of requirements that businesses are seeking. Switzer worked closely with Karvd on that company\u2019s building renovation, for example.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.telecompetitor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5276.jpg\")
<\/a>Source: Marceline Industrial Development Authority<\/p>\n