“Change is constant, growth is optional.”

Former longtime 2nd Ward City Councilor Tom Curley told me that in late 1998. And it stuck.

I believe that Tom told me that it was a Marshalltown Chamber saying at the time. What was true in 1998 still rings true in 2026. With all the changes going on in Marshalltown right now, many of them are eyed towards improvements and growth for residents AND newcomers.

And that is my idea of economic development in a nutshell. Everybody wins.

A good example of this is the Arts and Culture Alliance. The City has a five-year agreement with the Arts and Culture Alliance, formed a plan together called the Arts and Culture Master Plan.

It guides us in creating a more vibrant, welcoming, and economically resilient community through arts and culture. The plan outlines strategies to increase community engagement, enhance public spaces, and attract newcomers, all while strengthening the sense of place that residents already value. It recognizes that investment in arts and culture is not just about aesthetics — it’s about workforce attraction, business growth, and community pride.

When people want to live, work, and spend time in a community, that’s when real economic development takes hold. Initiatives like public art, cultural events, and creative partnerships help tell Marshalltown’s story in a way that resonates both locally and beyond. They create opportunities for connection, spark innovation, and contribute to a quality of life that benefits everyone.

That’s the kind of forward-thinking approach that reflects what Tom Curley shared all those years ago. Growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of existing residents — it can, and should, lift the entire community. When we invest in ideas that bring people together and build on what makes Marshalltown unique, we’re not just planning for today — we’re setting the stage for a stronger, more connected future.

This week I spoke to a Marshalltown Principal who told me that she was recruiting a new teacher from out of town. After the interview, she gave the applicant some spots to visit in town to get the feel of the community. The recruit took the job and gushed about all of the art, murals and sculptures around town. She loved it! That star teacher could have gone anywhere, but she chose Marshalltown. It’s about attraction.

FROM THE MAYOR’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THINK TANK

Jeanette from Tara Klaas’s 3rd grade class thinks…

“We need more gyms for things like gymnastics.

It is hard to get into those classes.”

Good thought Jeanette!

“Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from negativity.”

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Mike Ladehoff is the mayor of Marshalltown.