A new study by Iowa State University economists shows small towns in Iowa that saw a Wal-Mart move in had moderate increases in sales 15-years later. Economist Ken Stone, became an expert on the study of the impact of the retail giant before retiring from I-S-U in 2004. He co-authored the new study and says Wal-Mart came into many of the towns 25-years ago as they were seeing population and sales declines.  “Even though towns that got a Wal-Mart store get an initial surge in sales, they start going down, and earlier we found that sometimes the go down more than what they were when (Wal-Mart) first came in. We attributed that to too many Wal-Mart stores too close together,” he explains. “What we concluded after this study was — that’s still true — but it was a lot better than if they had continued on the trend line they had been on before.” Stone says they also found the small towns that didn’t get a Wal-Mart to move in, didn’t see everyone leave to shop elsewhere.

“Even though they were at a little lower level, they sort of stabilized. And I attribute that to what I call the capitalism at work. We had companies like Hy-Vee and Fareway locate in those towns and we had Alco and Dollar Generals and so on,” Stone says. He says he has always gone by the premise that people don’t want to leave town to shop, and the smaller stores that filled the gaps in the non-Wal-Mart communities took advantage of that idea. Stone says the research shows the small stores in the Wal-Mart communities that tried to go head to head with the big retailer in areas like sporting goods and pharmaceuticals, did not survive. But he says those who adapted and offered something different have been able to make it.

“And it could be more upscale merchandise or specialty categories. Even hardware stores, if they’re handling more fasteners and tools and things (and provide) better service than what Wal-mart has, they’re doing okay,” according to Stone. “So there’s pluses and minuses others benefit from the additional traffic that Wal-Mart brings in if they are selling something different.” Stone says he can’t take all the information and make one general statement on the impact of Wal-mart on small towns.”So if a town has local option sales taxes for example…then they’re going to benefit from the additional sales. So that’s a plus. On the negative side, there’s a lot of environmental impacts. Many of these super centers take 20 or 30 acres and that’s can create drainage problems, and parking problems, and traffic problems and all kinds of things. So, it’s really hard to say yes or no it just depends on the local situation,” Stone says.

The study looked at 28 Wal-Mart host towns and 22 non-Wal-Mart control towns with populations between three and 30-thousand people. Stone says he doesn’t know of a study that’s taken such a long look at the impact of Wal-Mart. Stone, who is now a professor emeritus, co-authored the study with assistant economics professor Georgeanne Artz for publication in a future issue of Economic Development Quarterly.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)

Authorities in northeastern Iowa area searching for a teenager in connection with the discovery of two bodies found Sunday afternoon at a home in Manchester, At around 2:20-pm, Sunday, the Manchester Police Department responded to a 911 call from 109 Deann Drive in Manchester.  Upon arrival at the scene officers found two deceased individuals in the residence.

17-year old Isaiah Sweet, wanted for questioning in murder case

Law enforcement is seeking a person of interest in this case and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 17 year old Isaiah Sweet.  The youth lived in the house with the two adults, who were not immediately identified. Authorities describe the case as a double murder. Police Chief Bruce Trapp says police responded to the house previously after receiving requests for assistance. Officials are not releasing the relationship between the youth and the couple, whose bodies were found when family members arrived for a Mother’s Day gathering. 

If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Sweet they’re being asked to contact the Manchester Police Department at (563) 927-3355. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is providing assistance in the investigation.  Also assisting is the Iowa State Patrol and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. No additional details are being released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say there are no signs of foul play in the disappearance of a Nebraska woman and her 11-year-old son. Plattsmouth police say Charlotte and Owen Schilling were last seen about 10 a.m. Thursday in the Plattsmouth area, when she checked the boy out of elementary school. They haven’t responded to cell phone calls from relatives.

Police say Charlotte Schilling’s vehicle was found Friday near Lake Manawa, which is just across the Nebraska border near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her wallet and cell phone were in the car. Officer John Hardy said that there is concern about the whereabouts of Charlotte and Owen Schilling, but the investigation hasn’t shown evidence of a crime.

The Audubon City Council will likely act on setting May 29th at 7-p.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing on a Budget Amendment, Monday. The action is expected to come toward the end of the Council’s regular meeting, which begins at 7-p.m., and follows the Council’s review of the proposed amendment. Other matters to come before the Council Monday evening, include: hearing from residents Janet and Neal Christoffersen, with regard to building repairs;  a hearing with Audubon resident Frank Billelo on Nuisance Lighting; the review of applications for a job opening in the Public Works Department, followed by action on a resolution hiring a Public Works employee.

In addition, the Audubon City Council will act on approving a resolution appointing Brandon Toft to the Park and Recreation Board, and, discuss the selling of a vacated alley to adjacent property owners.

The City Council in Massena is slated to meet Monday evening. On the agenda for the 7-p.m. regular session, is the accepting of and possible action on, bids for: Tree removal in the park; Mosquito control; the replacement of a water line at well #5, and for a Fire Department tanker truck. The Council will also discuss the issue of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) , as well as discuss and/or act on: wages for the Clerk Pro-Tem; The City of Massena website; City Hall hours; the widening of parking spaces on Main Street, and the possible sale of the east half of Centennial Park property.

In addition, the Council will review and act on the approval or rejection of any uses of developing City-owned property, along with other matters.