Lyle Butler, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas’ interim president, says Tyson Foods’ decision to end all its local operations was a key reason why the city’s Rapid Response team eventually decided to become a standing committee as opposed to operating on an as-needed basis. But he also tells KVOE News there were other factors in mind.
The decision, announced Monday, comes as Emporia’s latest jobless rate of 5.8 percent is the highest among cities tracked by the Kansas Department of Labor — and Lyon County’s rate of 5.3 percent is third-highest. The state unemployment rate has held steady between 3.6 and 3.9 percent for well over a year, but the national rate has climbed to 4.2 percent in the most recent report.
Butler says an engaged community is a successful community, and he says he’s pleased with the commitment to Emporia’s future as demonstrated with this move.
Rapid Response has traditionally helped employees move past specific layoffs or business closures by collaborating on job fairs, interview opportunities and retraining. Tentative plans have the Workforce Committee meeting monthly, and Butler says the committee is developing its short-term and long-term focal points.
While the Workforce Committee continues its work, it is also directing displaced employees and others seeking help to several different local entities:
*The United Way of the Flint Hills, which connects residents in Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee and Woodson counties to over 20 community partners offering a wide range of services. Residents can call 620-342-7564, call 211 or text their ZIP code to 898211 for direct assistance
*Southeast KANSASWorks helps with job placement, training, career preparation and benefit support. Locally, Southeast KANSASWorks partners closely with Emporia Spanish Speakers to that end. Residents can go online to sekworks.org or emporiaspanishspeakers.com for more information
*CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness offers behavioral health services across Lyon and surrounding counties. Residents can go online to crosswindsks.org for information and assistance
