Development and partnerships were the focus of a recent KVOE Morning Show visit and an upcoming meeting in Emporia.
USDA Rural Development Director for Kansas Christy Davis is meeting with Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods and community leaders from across eastern Kansas on Thursday to discuss collaborations when it comes to economic and community development. Davis says Rural Development is looking to help businesses and communities in a variety of ways, including the challenging topic of expanding broadband internet coverage and access.
Another big concern: housing — as evidenced by the nearly $2 billion semiconductor production facility now under construction near Burlington.
On housing, Davis credits Main Street for its work with upper-story development, saying it’s an effective and efficient way for cities like Emporia to meet housing needs. Davis also says housing is such a critical need for many cities and towns at a time when prices for traditional homes are becoming less attainable, so upper-story development also becomes a more attractive option.
Davis says Rural Development is looking to help businesses in other ways, including ways to speed up environmental reviews so development projects don’t get bogged down early in their respective processes. Rural Development is also looking at ways to increase funding for childcare — although some communities have so little in the way of childcare options that it becomes difficult for Rural Development to leverage funding to meet current and future needs.
