Policy evaluations highlighted the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas’ recent meeting last Friday.
The main topics focused on a review of marketing and tax abatement policies. RDA member Rob Gilligan explains the discussions on marketing focused on if the RDA’s approach to the distribution of marketing materials continues to make sense.
While all marketing materials are personalized for each business, Gilligan says the process for information collection is relatively the same. According to Gilligan, the RDA is currently examining if the collection of information should be the same across the board, or should there be more specific information gathered depending on the size and reach of each company.
Conversations eventually shifted to tax abatement policies for local businesses. According to Gilligan, the main focus was simply reviewing the current abatement policies and whether or not they need to look into new options or incentives to drive businesses to the Emporia community.
Gilligan says the RDA’s tax abatement policies are very much results-driven, meaning there needs to be a guarantee of a return to the community.
Gilligan adds they are able to offer up to 10 years of 100 percent tax abatement, however, the size of the abatement is dependant on the size of the investment and opportunity. Gilligan adds Friday served only as a jumping off point for discussions on these topics and there were no changes or decisions made. He expects conversations will continue diligently throughout the fall.
The RDA will next meet Friday, August 9th at the Trusler Business Center.
