(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council is taking under consideration partnering with a business recruitment firm to help bring new retail prospects to town and inspire other businesses to take a closer look at how they are operating. The Council, Wednesday, heard an electronic presentation/proposal from The Retail Coach Project Director Austin Farmer, who explained what his company can do for the City with regard to business recruitment and development. The company was formed in the year 2000, and since then has worked with over 650 communities in more than 40 States. Farmer his company works with communities all across the country, with three goals in mind.

He says they also want to help identify and stop “Retail leakage,” or where people are going to find what they need elsewhere, bring in new businesses to add to the retail base, increase sales tax revenue and contribute to a better quality of life in the communities they serve, and create jobs. They require cities to commit to a 12 month contract, with options for a second-and/or-third year extension.

While the Council was generally receptive to the proposal, there were some valid questions raised. Councilman Pat McCurdy asked how often Austin Farmer and his partners will be on the ground in Atlantic to help the City. He said most of what they do is via Zoom, but will make at least two trips to town to monitor and conduct analysis. McCurdy asked also, what makes Farmer think Atlantic is a prospect, considering the town’s population of only 7,000. Farmer said he became interested after a chance drive-thru.

He said his initial impression indicates Atlantic is in need of more, casual sit-down restaurants, a mid-tier discount department store, such as a Kohls, McCurdy asked if there was “any hope” for the former Salvation Army building in the Atlantic Shopping Plaza. Farmer said that large of a space could be subdivided into individual, smaller businesses with a common entrance, almost like a mini-strip mall.

The Retail Coach has worked with the Cities of Carroll, Fort Dodge and Pella, with Carroll realizing three new retail prospects, as a result. Farmer said the number one challenge communities face, is a shortage of retail workers. Some cities have recruited workers from well outside of their normal advertising area, in an effort to increase both the workforce and to fill housing needs. If the City approves a contract with Retail Coach, it would cost $40,000, including travel and reimbursement expenses. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and CADCO have agreed to split the latter two costs, at $2,500 each. Atlantic City Administrator John Lund says the rest of the funds would come out of the Local Option Sales Tax Fund.

No action was taken on the matter, since it was simply an informational presentation.