Clarion Leaders Reflect on Community’s Growing Impact
Amanda Rink, Editor
Local Melinda Anderson paused to notice a commonly overlooked scene in Clarion last week – a Hagie sprayer ready for global export, an Ennis truck ready for travel across our country, and a local farmer gearing up to feed the world – and snapped a photo.
To her, it wasn’t just another rural moment; it was a reminder of the deep roots and big impact of life in our “itty-bitty” town.
“Fun view tonight of the roots our community is blessed to have,” she wrote, sharing the photo online which quickly resonated with many. “Agriculture is vital to our community. To see a Hagie sprayer sold around the world from Clarion, Ennis trucks traveling around the country, and a farmer getting ready to feed the world, right here in the heart of our community. We are blessed to be rooted here.”
Anderson, who serves as president of the Clarion Development Alliance (CDA) board, personifies that “rooted” optimism. That same spirit was present later in the week when she joined CDA Director Sam Stumpf and fellow board member Lisa Hanson, of Hanson and Son Tire, at the Rural Iowa Development event.
The goal of the trip was to “learn from regional experts on economic development in rural Iowa,” according to CDA Director Stumpf. “We are energized and full of so many ideas to bring back to Clarion,” Stumpf shared on social media.
“When a small town is headed in the right direction, you can feel it,” Anderson added. “Energetic towns have a vision, take risks, and are open to new ideas. They invest, care, and believe! Why not us? We believe—let’s do this together.”
In a time when rural communities often face challenges to grow, Clarion is growing as tall as the corn which surrounds it…rooted in the past, but boldly looking ahead.
