The Board of Directors of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, Inc. (RDA) urges Emporia residents to Vote No on Questions 2 and 3 to reject a ten-year blanket prohibition and preserve our ability to evaluate future economic development projects on their facts and merits. We should not prevent our community from participation in a once in a generation opportunity, where technology related spending is predicted to average 3.6% of GDP annually from 2025 through 2032—larger, relative to the economy, than historic railroad and electrification buildouts.
Emporia has long shown a forward-thinking culture. Our community blossomed with the arrival of the railroad in 1869; participation in this next technological development wave can have such an impact. We need to encourage investment in our community through thoughtful growth and responsible development.
Economic development benefits residents by reducing property taxes, creating meaningful higher paying jobs, expanding needed services, and improving infrastructure. Technology investments will secure a long-term role for our educational institutions (i.e., USD 253, ESU and FHTC) and provide the type of jobs that will allow our next generation to remain in the area to raise their families.
Growth and vitality are critical to retain and expand our small businesses, restaurants, retail, entertainment, and the other amenities we enjoy. It strengthens our school enrollment, public services, and provides the donors, volunteers, and corporate partners our nonprofits rely on.
We have a vested interest in the continued success of Emporia and Lyon County, and we need to keep our local options open to allow site-specific review, public input, enforceable conditions, and accountability; accept projects that benefit and reject those that do not.
For these reasons, we encourage Emporia residents to Vote NO on questions 2 and 3 and preserve Emporia’s ability to participate in future economic development projects that can create a positive trajectory for our community – we need to be Open for business, not closed.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas,
Inc. (RDA)
