A new venture with significant economic benefits is in the early stages of discussion for the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas.
The venture in question is MakeMyMove, a company based out of Indianapolis, Indiana which promotes communities looking to grow their populations to remote or work-from-anywhere employees. RDA Interim President Jim Witt says Emporia’s location and various amenities make it, at least in his eyes, a prime destination.
According to Witt, while the individuals who would move to the community would likely not enter the local workforce, their relocation would still bring several benefits to the community calling it an “indirect economic development effort.”
While prospects for partnering with MakeMyMove are still in the early discussion phase, Witt tells KVOE News there has been a great deal of interest expressed in the venture by the county, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Ignite Emporia. Word on when a final decision on the matter may be reached is currently pending.
In other business Friday, Witt presented an update on the RDA’s Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone (BDO) rating and future marketing strategies. As KVOE has reported recently, the local region recently received a BDO triple B rating from Ecostrat Inc. out of Toronto Canada.
Following the announcement of the rating, Witt stated he would have liked it to be higher, however, it still opens a large range of opportunities for the area. With that in mind, Witt says the RDA is currently working with marketing consultants to develop strategies and materials to help attract future biomass projects and businesses to the area.
