Road Construction Is Annoying. Being a Good Neighbor Isn’t.

If you’ve followed Lee Realty on social media this summer, you’ve probably noticed that about once a week I’ve been highlighting a ‘locally grown; locally owned’ North Iowa business. Along with highlighting these businesses, I’ve been giving people the opportunity to enter a drawing for a gift card to that local business.

It has been one of my favorite things I’ve done, and the response has been amazing. I’ve loved learning more about the businesses in our communities, introducing them to others and, hopefully, encouraging people to shop local. And I plan to keep doing it for as long as I can!

Last week, I highlighted Baker Floral, and there was an extra reason I wanted to put the spotlight on them. There has been, and continues to be, a lot of road construction right in front of their business. And I’m sure it has affected them.

It got me thinking about something we as humans tend to do: We complain about the condition of our roads, and then when the roads are closed or construction begins to fix them, we complain about that, too. I understand it. Road construction can be inconvenient! I’ve certainly found myself taking a different route or getting frustrated by a detour. But we really can’t have it both ways. We want better roads, and getting better roads means construction.

I once heard a developer say that one of the things they look for when considering a community is road construction. Why? Because it can be a sign that a community is investing in itself. I actually love that perspective. Yes, construction can be annoying. But I’m thankful that our community is able to invest in infrastructure and make improvements that will benefit us for years to come.

There’s another side of road construction that I think deserves our attention, too: the local businesses that are affected by it. When access is more difficult, traffic patterns change or a familiar route is closed, some businesses can feel the impact in a very real way. That’s why I try to make a conscious effort to support the businesses in those areas. If I need gas or a quick meal, I’ll stop at the Kwik Star near Baker Floral. A couple of years ago, when South Federal was under construction, I made a point of going to businesses in that area, even when it meant going a little out of my way.

And that was one of the reasons I wanted to highlight Baker Floral last week. Not only are they a wonderful, locally owned business with a special place in my own history (I had my wedding flowers done there 25 years ago) but I know they are most likely dealing with the challenges that come with having construction right in front of their doors.

So the next time you’re frustrated by road construction, take a minute to look around. Who is being affected by it? Is there a local business you can support? Can you take a few extra minutes, follow the detour and make a purchase? We may not be able to make the construction disappear, but we can choose how we respond to it.

Road construction is annoying. But being a good neighbor isn’t. Let’s continue investing in our community—and while we do, let’s make sure we’re taking care of the people and local businesses that make North Iowa such a great place to live. There IS something positive we can do!