Members of the Regional Development Association’s Board of Directors discussed a concept that could change how Emporia and Lyon County handle economic development matters.
As part of strategic planning efforts earlier this year, a committee involving RDA President Kent Heermann and board members Rick Tidwell, Casey Woods and Jamie Sauder looked at “future structure and focus.” Sauder tells KVOE News the committee took out current structures and revenue streams while developing the concept, which would reset business development at both a large and small scale — and would also mean a new administrative framework. The goal, Sauder says, is to add talent, not subtract it.
The tentative plan would facilitate an economic development manager with dedicated staff to handle daily functions. Sauder says the RDA gets the lion’s share of the current funding, and that would likely continue if the new model is ultimately approved. Other economic development partners, including the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Emporia Main Street, would see their roles “streamlined” as they would continue support for all member businesses. The role of Emporia Enterprises, which currently works with the RDA on land purchases and development, is not yet defined.
Heermann says this represents a “more global outlook” and is the first step in that regard.
Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna says evaluation is a good policy, so this will be a good exercise for all involved.
Sauder says the overall goal for developing larger businesses is to help recruit new employers, especially complementary businesses to the current lineup, developing local businesses with high-end growth potential and diversifying products from existing businesses. For small business, the model could involve developing incentive programs, partnering with existing companies and events, an increased emphasis on incubator spaces, new-wave funding mechanisms and new opportunities in agriculture production.
Work with Emporia’s education sector would be a key part of both aspects of the plan, and housing would be a top priority for the new framework as well.
