The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas has expressed a desire over the past several months to “diversify” its efforts in business development. The question is, where exactly does that diversification begin?
During an interview on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment this past Thursday, Interim RDA President Lyle Butler stated Emporia is very unique in that it possesses assets that not many other communities of its size do.
As you may recall, FHTC, Emporia State University and Emporia Main Street were all added as voting members to the RDA Board back in May following several months of discussions on reorganization of the RDA structure. Butler believes adding those voices to the table will help to strengthen the RDA’s impact locally.
A big focus that was mentioned many times during the RDA restructuring process was a desire to “diversify” the RDA’s focus on business and economic development in Emporia. KVOE asked Butler Thursday if there had been any roadmaps developed towards that goal in recent weeks.
Butler did not have any specifics to offer on that end, but did say it is his professional opinion that a new strategic plan would be the right place to start.
Butler also stated he believes getting a new RDA President in place, the search for which is currently ongoing, will also play a key role in these endeavors.
Speaking of the president’s search, according to the timeline offered to KVOE News by Butler in mid-June, current plans are for the RDA President Search Committee to review the list of presidential applicants on July 9th. From there, members will narrow down the list of candidates and conduct Zoom interviews on July 17th before selecting their finalists, who will come to Emporia for in-person interviews the week of July 25.
The names and backgrounds of all finalists will be kept confidential so as not to cause any complications with their current employment. Butler says they are hopeful the committee will have a new president selected by early August and that individual will be “flying solo” by mid-September.
