We had the opportunity to sit down with Mayor Tyler Moore and Director of Development Wes Reed at City Hall to gain insight into the intersection of business and government.

Mayor Moore shared how his transition from county to city government has shaped his leadership approach, emphasizing that while government isn’t a business, it still requires business principles to run effectively. He spoke about the city’s economic development efforts, including major projects like the Kokomo Conference Center, Stellantis, Samsung, and StarPlus Energy all of which are shaping Kokomo’s future.

A key takeaway: Local governments are in competition just like businesses. “What are we offering? Are our prices lower? Is the penny shinier over here?” When companies decide where to build, they weigh these factors just like a customer choosing between competitors.

We also got an inside look into Chick-fil-A’s decision to come to Kokomo, breaking down the process and considerations that go into site selection. The biggest factor? Chick-fil-A wants THAT location.

Wes Reed provided valuable insight on community development vs. economic development, explaining how housing growth, infrastructure, and public services directly impact business growth. He also addressed how tax dollars are allocated and the challenges of balancing city and county resources.

One of the most memorable points came from Mayor Moore:
"Sometimes elected officials get criticized for running things like a business... but in some way, you have to have business principles."

A huge thank you to Mayor Moore and Wes Reed for an engaging discussion on leadership, economic development, and what it takes to make Kokomo a place where people want to live, work, and invest. Oh, and the Dan's donuts🍩