It’s not final just yet, however, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas has received a strong rating in terms of potential for bioeconomy development in the future.
According to interim RDA President Jim Witt, the local region received a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone BBB rating from Ecostrat Inc. out of Toronto Canada. According to Witt, the rating survey evaluates an area’s potential for biomass projects, which typically involve fuel production.
While he says they were hoping for a rating in the A to AAA range, Witt says the BBB still opens many possibilities for the region in the future.
The rating survey was partly funded by a USDA grant with the RDA matching those dollars. Witt says in addition to the “stamp of approval” the rating provides, a bonus is the USDA grant will also help to provide needed marketing for the region to help attract potential biomass developers down the road.
Witt says the rating still needs to be finalized and he anticipates that process will likely be complete by the end of March.
Witt’s update on the biomass rating came as part of the RDA Board of Directors’ monthly meeting Friday morning. In other business Friday, board members approved a request from Newman Regional Health to allow a non-voting attendee at future board meetings. They began initial conversations on the proposed 2025 budget with additional considerations to take place in May.
One executive session was also held with no action taken.
