Emporia already has one notable steering committee driving the future of recreation within the community, and by sometime later this year, another committee focused on economic development may also be in place.
Following a lengthy series of discussions on the Vision First economic development study Wednesday afternoon, Emporia City Commissioners chose to organize a committee comprised of representatives from the various eco-devo entities within the community according to Emporia Mayor Erren Harter.
Harter says the steering committee will be responsible for overseeing the entire restructuring of the economic development process including the formation of an umbrella organization as recommended by the Vision First Study. As part of Wednesday’s meeting, representatives of several of the previously mentioned economic development organizations including the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Emporia, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, Emporia Main Street and Emporia Enterprises had an opportunity to offer their thoughts on the topic.
Based on comments from each of these entities it appears as though all agree the umbrella strategy could be a good path forward, however, more clarification, specifically on each entity’s role within the umbrella, is needed. Emporia Main Street Board President Aaron Otto.
Additionally, Visit Emporia Director Lelan Dains would like to see more clarification on why a restructuring is needed.
Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says the chamber also wants to know what its role within the umbrella would be and whether the structure is needed at all based on certain metrics laid out in the study.
Another talking point Wednesday centered on which organization would serve as the “stem” of the umbrella with Vision First previously recommending the RDA as the top choice. Harter and Commissioner Jamie Sauder both agreed this would make the most logical sense, however, there are several possibilities to consider including creating a brand new position for that specific role.
In addition to the recommendation of an umbrella structure, the Vision First study also recommended the dissolution of Emporia Enterprises. Speaking with enterprises board President Justin Mallon, KVOE asked if he felt that would be the best path forward.
Mallon responded that is still unclear although he does expect the possibility to be “looked at” by the committee once it is formed and he says enterprises will do whatever is “best for the community.” KVOE also sought insight from interim RDA President Jim Witt who stated he is also not certain whether dissolution would be the right course of action but if that is the direction chosen he says it will be anything but a simple process.
An exact timeline for the steering committee’s first meeting is currently unclear, however, Harter tells KVOE News he would like the meeting to take place within the next three weeks so a preliminary report can be delivered during the city commission’s next regular meeting in November.
