Since December 2024, Emporia has had a number of hits to the local economy.
Tyson Foods, Thermal Ceramics and Hopkins on the closure side for manufacturers. Michelin with layoffs. Holiday Resort closing in the healthcare sector. Several retail businesses and restaurants also locking up for the final time.
When it comes to large-scale economic development, Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Department Secretary David Toland says there are potential partners and “a lot of opportunities” to be had in Emporia, given facilities, highway access, rail availability, broadband, higher education and other components.
Toland says Commerce is doing what it can to match over 300 leads, the most at a given point in time in Toland’s tenure as Commerce Secretary, to locations across Kansas, and he says Emporia is well suited for projects in advanced manufacturing, food processing and logistics.
60th District State Representative Mark Schreiber says Emporia’s attributes and assets are well known across the state, and he’s pleased to see Commerce looking to build on those strengths.
Toland says he is pleased with the overall willingness he saw Monday to move forward with economic development, replacing lost jobs with high-quality positions and a “desire for growth,” and even though the state has its recruitment network in place and actively seeking business partners, he says it’s highly important for city leaders to be on the same page on which economic sector — or sectors — should be focal points.
17th District State Senator Mike Argabright of Olpe says it’s an overall plan that makes sense.
Emporia has been discussing an economic development partnership involving the city, Lyon County, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, Emporia Enterprises, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Visit Emporia for nearly 2 years, with an initial version of a Flint Hills Economic Alliance — led by the RDA — unveiled early this year and still in the adjustment process. Toland says having everyone on the same page for collaboration should lead to a partnership plan that suits Emporia.
Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking says open facilities can be “strong opportunities” for potential employers.
Cocking agrees with Toland, saying the big thing moving forward is “having everyone rowing in the same direction.” He also says Emporia has to position itself as ready for new businesses.
On FHEA, after Cocking told KVOE News three weeks ago a plan needed to be near approval in three weeks, he says work continues towards a partnership model and a decision point — although no new timeline was announced.
While it’s important to have many entities represented, Schreiber says it’s important that they all have the same voice.
Argabright says this needs to be a collaborative effort at the local and state level.
Toland says local leaders had information about facilities and infrastructure that Commerce recruiters will take with them — and soon. Toland is part of trade mission teams that will head to Asia and Europe this spring and summer, with the Asia trip coming next week and the Europe trip set for July.
