Further discussions on the city of Emporia’s recent economic development study may be pushed back slightly.
Following Wednesday’s special Emporia City Commission meeting, commissioners announced they would have additional conversations on the Vision First report at their October 2 meeting. However; during the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas monthly board meeting on Friday, it was requested those discussions be pushed back by two weeks to October 16.
RDA Board Chair Kala Maxfield says the delay would give all parties involved in the Economic Development process in Emporia enough time to “digest” the information in the report and come to the table with well-developed recommendations and conversation. The Vision First study was approved by the Emporia City Commission during its May 15 meeting with commissioners noting they are simply trying to gauge how economic development can be improved within the city.
There was some initial concern the city was looking to do away with agencies such as the RDA. During Friday’s discussions on the report, Maxfield stated she believes the report is not a threat but an opportunity for the entire community.
A long-term recommendation made by Vision First was for the creation of an “umbrella organization” to oversee operations by all economic development entities with Vision First believing the RDA could serve as said organization. When asked if she thought the RDA would be the right choice for that role Maxfield stated she did as did Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking.
As for if city commissioners will be pushing back additional discussions on the report as requested a decision is currently pending. Maxfield has stated that time is of the essence with these efforts, especially with the RDA seeking to have a new permanent President hired by early next year.
That said, Maxfield and Cocking both believe delaying the discussions for just two weeks would not be detrimental to any timelines.
