I don't want this to sound like an "I told you so ..." note, but today the front page of the Brandon paper is announcing that Minnedosa is taking a HUGE economic hit ... Our gravy train ride on the back of RxNorth and Mediplan Internet Pharmacy has come to a screeching end ...
Yesterday in the wild and whacky world of Internet Pharmacy's Andrew Stempler, the CEO and founder of the RxNorth/Mediplan empire sold off the Minnedosa portion of his company, and lay off notices were handed out ... Jobs suddenly evaporated ... lives were suddenly altered ... and the economic landscape of Minnedosa and area has been radically transformed.
The gravy train has just dried up ... and sadly, no one really seemed prepared for that inevitability ...
I recall a conversation with one of our folks who is supposed to be encouraging economic development in the Minnedosa area a couple of years ago about getting ready for the moment (like this one) when Mediplan closes up. The response was - "oh no, Mediplan is committed to Minnedosa for 10 to 12 years ... it's not a problem." I cringed ...
Today after less then 5 years ... we are about to witness some dramatic and painful changes to our community ... we will lose families ... we will lose funding to various community events and happenings ... we will hurt deeply ...
And today there is no one to step into the gap ...
I hope that in the coming weeks our elected officials and the folks responsible for the promotion and economic development in our town are putting in long hours trying to bring new businesses and new opportunities to our little town.
With the new Ethanol plant rising on our western margins, we could and should be encouraging spin off and value added businesses like trucking companies and companies that can use the by-products.
With the pool of talent that is about to ebb away from our community we could be seeking out some other internet company to consider setting up something like a call centre.
Right now, one dream has come crashing to the ground ... we need visionaries and dreamers who have the courage to bring new dreams into reality ... There are no limits ...
For now though - Thanks Andrew for everything. It's been a helluva ride. You've done lots for Minnedosa, and though I for one knew it couldn't and wouldn't last, I do appreciate what you've done for this little town in the last five years. We'll be sorry to see you and your business go ... But thanks for everything.
I won't end this by saying - "I told you so ..." Today I don't have to ... today we can only reel from the shock of this ...
1 comment:
Give me a break. Andrew Strempler is a crook. He got caught selling counterfeit drugs to the Yanks and the FDA put him out of business. If he was that concerned about the people of Minnedosa he would not have tried to get away with fraud on poor seniors and the poor in America.
You won't need a tag day for him though he made millions out of other peoples misfortune.
RX Avenger
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