The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas has a special meeting ahead early next week.
Board members will meet at 7:30 am Monday to discuss currently-unspecified personnel matters.
The meeting is scheduled as the RDA continues its search for a permanent president — a position that has now been open for 18 months, following the resignation of Chuck Scott. Current Interim President Lyle Butler tells KVOE News a permanent leader will help to drive local efforts to diversify the economy.
With unemployment numbers up since Tyson Foods announced the end of its local operations last year, Butler says the RDA is doing its best to strengthen existing businesses while attracting new ones to town.
Butler says the hire of a new president comes at a time of change, both within the Trusler Business Center and in Emporia city leadership.
The Chamber is seeking a new leader with Jeanine McKenna now leading the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation after better than 20 years as Chamber president and CEO. Visit Emporia, meanwhile, has Matt Fowler as interim director as the city of Emporia determines whether the marketing and promotion agency should remain under Chamber management or perhaps be managed by the city of Emporia Main Street.
Meanwhile, the Emporia City Commission will have a new look as current commissioners Susan Brinkman and Jamie Sauder are not seeking re-election. And the RDA has has its own significant changes in expanding its voting membership earlier this year, adding Main Street, Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College.
10:45 am Monday: Monitoring local unemployment rate increases, RDA’s Butler says Emporia ‘well-positioned to weather these fluctuations’
The extended increase in unemployment numbers, both for Emporia and Lyon County, are to be expected. So is the response from the city of Emporia, Lyon County and other partners to help those affected.
The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas issued a news release Monday, mentioning the agency’s work with existing employers while it pursues new businesses and expansions for existing businesses. Interim President Lyle Butler tells KVOE News increases putting both Emporia and Lyon County above 5-percent unemployment reflect statewide and national trends at this time of year.
Butler also says the recent increase in unemployment is largely connected to the Tyson Foods closure, announced in December and concluded last month, and it’s not limited to Emporia or Lyon County.
Butler says Emporia and Lyon County may have unemployment numbers well above their norms from over the last five to 10 years, but the percentages — initially listed as 5.8 percent in Emporia, 5.4 percent for Lyon County in the Kansas Department of Labor report issued this past Friday — are still close to the statistical mark of “full employment” around 5 percent. He says the seasonally-adjusted marks are slightly lower, noting 5.3 percent for Emporia. He also says the local percentages signal “normal workforce movement, not widespread job loss,” and Emporia is “well-positioned to weather these fluctuations and remain a vibrant hub for economic activity in east central Kansas.”
Statement from RDA Interim President Lyle Butler: RDA Addresses Slight Increase in Unemployment, Reinforces Ongoing Commitment to Regional Growth
Emporia, KS — The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas (RDA) acknowledges the recent small uptick in the local unemployment rate for the Emporia area, which rose slightly from 5.2% adjusted from to 5.3% based on the latest labor market data.
While any increase can naturally raise concern, this fluctuation aligns with both state and national trends being observed across mid-year employment reports. RDA and its partners continue to work closely with existing employers while pursuing new business recruitment and expansion opportunities. With a dedicated workforce, competitive cost of living, and strong regional partnerships, Emporia is well-positioned to weather these fluctuations and remain a vibrant hub for economic activity in East Central Kansas.
Kansas and the nation are seeing similar short-term increases in unemployment as the job market adjusts to inflation and seasonal shifts. Despite the local uptick, Emporia remains near “full employment,” typically defined as below 5%, which reflects normal workforce movement—not widespread job loss.
“We remain optimistic and proactive,” said Lyle Butler, Interim Director of the RDA. “Slight changes in employment numbers are expected throughout the year, but the fundamentals of our local economy remain strong. The RDA, in partnership with the City of Emporia, is committed to sustaining and expanding job opportunities for our residents.”
Through the Rapid Response Team—a collaboration between the RDA, the City of Emporia, and workforce development partners—efforts are underway to connect job seekers with employers, support workforce training, and encourage business growth. This team acts quickly to respond to changes in the labor market and to ensure that Emporia remains a place of opportunity.
For more information about workforce support or economic development in the region, please contact the RDA at (620) 342-1600 or visit www.emporiarda.org.
