Emporia’s Rapid Response Team is shifting its focus from an as-needed basis to a standing committee.
Rapid Response has been meeting regularly over the last several months following the announcement of Tyson Foods ending all local operations. A news release from Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas Secretary Robin Emley says there has been a widespread increase in demand for services, and not just due to the Tyson closure.
Emporia’s jobless rate is at 5.8 percent in the most recent data released by the Kansas Department of Labor, which is the highest among cities in Kansas. Lyon County is third at the county level at 5.3 percent. The state average is 3.8 percent, but the national rate has climbed to 4.2 percent. Lyon County also has around 220 fewer people actively employed this year versus last year, but Kansas as a whole is also down 2,300 jobs from this time last year.
Rapid Response has traditionally helped employees move past specific layoffs or business closures. However, with community leaders focusing their efforts on empowering standing businesses by reducing barriers, exploring workforce development options and bolstering talent pipelines, Emley says the Rapid Response team will become a Workforce Committee working to foster “proactive, collaborative planning across sectors.” Additional details are pending, but Interim RDA President Lyle Butler says, “community partnerships are the backbone of our programs. “Together we rise; supporting services, retaining workers, and strengthening our businesses.”
