There are 3 notable updates for the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas Board of Directors to consider as part of its monthly meeting this week.
First on the agenda is an update on the ongoing background work towards improvements to railroad crossings in east Emporia as part of the Railroad Corridor Safety Improvements project. The program involves potential safety enhancements for Emporia’s 15 crossings between State and Weaver.
Board members will also have public discussions about Evergy’s potential solar project designed to surround the Emporia Energy Center on Road 200 just east of S. The plan is tentatively on hold at the county level after Lyon County commissioners approved separate moratoriums on solar energy and data center discussions in late July.
Board members will also get an update on the search for a new president. The permanent position has been unfilled since former RDA president Chuck Scott resigned in February 2024. Part of the delay in finding a new president had to do with an extended discussion about potentially restructuring the area’s economic development picture by having the RDA as the lead agency of a consortium involving the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Enterprises, Emporia Main Street and Visit Emporia, first through a study done by the city’s external consultant Vision First and later through plans for the Flint Hills Economic Alliance — plans for which has since ended.
The meeting will be at 7:30 am Friday at the Trusler Business Center.
