Aid economy:
Spend money
in Cedar City

In the past month, Cedar City’s economy has taken a hit.
Kmart announced its closing and a telemarketing company was shut down by the Secret Service.
However, this does not mean that Cedar City’s economy is in complete shambles.
There are many companies and businesses employing students and helping the economy.
In fact, general merchandise sales in Cedar City have increased 6 percent in the past quarter, said Clark Krause, Cedar City director of economic development.
There is also healthy growth in manufacturing, which now provides 25 percent of the jobs in Cedar City, he said.
NAMPAC came in November, providing 110 manufacturing jobs and strongly boosting the economy.
Manufacturing, not retail, is the backbone of the economy, but people pay more attention to retail because it affects them more directly, Krause said.
He said Cedar City tries to recruit employers, such as manufacturing companies, that pay higher wages because people who make more money have more to spend on retail.
This keeps more money in the community.
Another reason students do not need to worry is because businesses are always looking to expand their horizons.
“What I’ve learned is that if one (store) goes down, another goes up,” Mayor Gerald R. Sherratt told the University Journal.
He said city officials in Cedar City are trying to recruit stores all the time, whether or not there is a vacancy.
For example, C-A-L Ranch Stores took over the building Wal-Mart vacated when it moved and expanded.
Although Kmart is leaving, we are confident another store will fill the space, especially because the building is in a prime location and the building’s owner is looking for a business to fill the vacancy.
There is a simple thing students, faculty and staff can do to help improve the city’s economy: shop in Cedar City.

 

We understand that the selection of retailers in Cedar City is limited, especially compared with St. George, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, but we encourage students to shop locally as often as they can.
Something students should look at is the price factor. With gas and mileage added to the cost, shopping in Iron County may be less expensive than traveling elsewhere.
If more money is earned and spent in Cedar City, then it will stay in Cedar City’s economy.
As a result, retailers will be drawn here and the city will collect more revenue from sales tax.
That will improve the city’s economy and consumer choices.
Instead of giving up hope, we urge students to shop in Cedar City and help improve the economy.
The opinion expressed above is the collective perspective of the University Journal editorial board. The editorial board meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Room 172D of the Sharwan Smith Center. Visitors are welcome.