by Jeff Zacharakis-Jutz
Community development field specialist
Iowa State University Extension to Communities
It's almost impossible to separate community development from economic development. Without a strong employment baseÑwhether it is as a wage earner, an independent local producer (farmer) or a business ownerÑa community can be seriously crippled in its efforts to serve its citizens. Yet, in the arena of economic development we seldom ask the tough questions related to quality of life. For example: What is a quality job? What is a livable wage? How can a particular job, employer, or industry enhance or detract from a community's quality of life?
For many rural communities, these questions become secondary when economic development is focused exclusively on increasing the number of jobs. In other words, there is often a defeatist attitude that low-paying, low-quality jobs are better than no jobs.
In mid-July, I taught a workshop on economic development for Iowa State University's Municipal Clerks' Institute. Among the 45 participants, approximately 12 had been involved in recruiting new jobs to their communities. Most of these new jobs paid between minimum wage, $4.65, and $8 per hour. One community did attract some $13 per hour jobs, and another $10 per hour jobs. These wages roughly translate into annual incomes between $9,300 and $26,00(). (It is important to note that those jobs with the higher wage also normally have the better benefits such as health insurance, vacation and sick leave, etc.).
The Northwest Foundation recently reported that a livable wage in Minnesota for a single parent with two children was approximately $10 per hour, plus benefits, or about $21 per hour). Another way to look at these numbers is that it would take two full-time jobs at $7.00/ hour to generate a livable wage for a family with two adults and two children. Even this level of income will not allow much left over money for birthday presents, recreation, an occasional meal at a fast food restaurant, music and gymnastic lessons, or school field trips, nor are health benefits likely to be provided. And, in order for both parents to be working full-time, the family must make a sacrifice in its overall quality of life, especially if there are young children in the family. Likewise, the community will be hard pressed to find citizens with time and energy to get involved in the community when it takes two or three jobs to support each household.
There are many dimensions in addition to income and benefits that individuals weigh when evaluating the quality of a particular job. Is there opportunity for advancement? Is the job dangerous or tedious? Is it challenging? How much flexibility is there? How far is the commuting distance? Is the job secure and stable? The decision about whether a certain job is a quality job depends upon the features of the job, plus a calculation of its fit with the individual's needs, circumstances and desires.
A group of community and county leaders, along with a few staff people in ISU Extension to Communities, have been working together in an effort to develop a program that will assist communities to determine what is, and what is not a quality job. This determination is divided into two categories. The first focuses on individual needs and desires. These are the elements referred to in the previous paragraph.
The second category examines what kind of impact the jobs and the employer will have on the community. For example, do the jobs pay enough so that employees can afford to rent or buy housing within the community? What will be the impact on the local schools, and the community's infrastructure? Will employees need public assistance such as subsidized housing, medical care or food stamps? What is the likelihood that employees will shop within the community? Is the employer a good corporate citizen in the community?
Does the employer invest in the community? If this employer has facilities or shops in other communilies, what is the employer's track record there? Will the employer hire local labor or import workers from outside the community? Are there any environmental concerns such as water quality? What effect will the employer have on the local tax situation? For each of these categories, local citizens will have to tailor the questions and the discussion to address the specific issues, resources and needs within their community.
The ISU Extension 1994 Community Survey indicates that small town Iowans are very attached to their communities and believe that Iowa is a good place to raise a family. In order for us to preserve what is good about our rural communities, we need to set standards that enhance our ability to grow and attract quality jobs. Without a core base of quality jobs, communities are at risk of losing their overall quality of life.
Contacts:
Terry L. Besser, ISU
Extension Sociology, (515) 294-6508
Del Marks, ISU Extension
Communication Systems, (515) 294-9807
