The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas is celebrating progress and recognizing challenges to the local economy.
Friday’s end-of-year meeting focused on both aspects f the economy. Board President Rob Gilligan credited city-county work on infrastructure projects, notably utilities, bridges and roads, for setting the table for additional growth. He also said the local business community is active with a range of investments.
Gilligan says those investments will position Emporia well for the future, even with the city facing a potentially flat population in the 2020 census, a tight labor market and ongoing issues with available housing.
Gilligan says population and workforce limitations make it tough for Emporia to get large-scale projects to town, so discussions will continue into 2019 between the city, Lyon County, RDA, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street and other entities to see how Emporia can grow its population.
