With sights set on a prosperous southeast Kansas with a robust economy, four state senators and the 16 area community leaders announced today they will seek $500,000 from the state’s general fund to get the economic improvement initiative off the ground.
The 16-member executive steering committee and the southeast Kansas legislators responsible for the effort, called Project 17, met for the first time Friday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola to discuss the mechanics, goals and potential methods for the long-term revitalization project.
State Sens. Jeff King and Pat Apple told members that with four core issues – economic development, regional health rankings, fostering leadership and creating a long-term structure to house the effort – being tackled within Project 17, an operating budget of about $500,000 per year is needed to make a real impact.
The funds, expected to be a line item in the governor’s budget proposal next week, would pay for necessary research and information on regional economic indicators, a possible Project 17 executive director and the effort’s general overhead costs.
“We’re hopeful we’ll get it,” King said.
Apple agreed and said the legislature should have decision made on Project 17’s funding request by April 1.
Subcommittees made up of four Project 17 members will focus on each core issue and report back to the steering committee quarterly.
With or without state funding, King said improving the economy in southeast Kansas is more than just creating jobs. Rather, King said, data suggests that economic conditions and health rankings in a particular area or region are more often than not tied to the quality of leadership.
“The ability to improve health outcomes is almost always clearly tied to the quality and the dynamic nature of leadership in each community,” he said.
With that in mind, Project 17 members are working on grant application from the Kansas Leadership Foundation, which would provide $1 million in leadership training to the organization, region or agency awarded the grant.
That grant application is due Jan. 13.
Before any regional approaches to revitalizing the economy can be made, the region has to realize what’s good for Allen County is good for Miami County and the other 15 counties and vice versa; and that’s been an hurdle southeast Kansas has faced for years, said Dave Martin, Project 17 member and Fort Scott city administrator. In that regard, Martin said, project 17 is already a success. Being able to get community members and business leaders to accept an emphasis on regionalization is of itself cause for celebration, he said.
“I’m excited to realize the defense is down and we’re all going to work together to do what’s best for southeast Kansas and I haven’t heard that in a long time,” Martin said.
Project 17 members will meet quarterly, with the next meeting April 13 in Iola. To volunteer or contribute to the effort, visit TWSProject17.org.
Economic development effort will seek $500,000
