Emporia’s partnership with Atlas Community Studios has led to grant funding from the federal government as part of its Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge.
The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and several of its partner agencies — the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, Ignite Emporia and Visit Emporia — are working with Atlas to develop an action plan for guiding public and private investments for now and later.
Regional Development Association President Chuck Scott says conversations began late this summer.
The Atlas role will be to offer technical assistance on implementing the plan once the process is finished, as well as resources and tools to “execute priority projects.” Scott says there is a local connection, although he isn’t giving full specifics.
The placemaking program was created to provide “planning support, technical assistance and training to encourage placemaking activities in rural communities.”
The US Department of Agriculture expects results to include an analysis of broadband Internet capacity for homes and businesses, strategy development to improve local housing, new or enhanced cultural and recreational amenities, strengthened workforce development and establishing a peer exchange network.
The total federal funding amount is $250,000, with the money to be split between Emporia and Tunica County, Mississippi. Locally, the RDA has committed $40,000, while Visit Emporia has committed $5,000.
