Independence: Working Together for Success
by Vicki Wright Independence, Kan. - Working in a team and having the processes and people in place to make a difference are the key elements that Brad Eilts, Montgomery County Action Council executive director, credits for the success Independence has with recurring economic development efforts. “In the mid-1980s, Independence and Coffeyville decided to work [...]
Pittsburg: Regional Economic Development Approach
by Vicki Wright Pittsburg, Kan. – “Pittsburg is a great place to do business,” said Pittsburg Economic Development Director Mark Turnbull. “The people, the partnerships and the workforce make Pittsburg an outstanding place for current and prospective businesses. The quality of place is remarkable, and the opportunity for education is unlike other southeast Kansas towns.” [...]
Fort Scott keeps hitting the ball
By Vicki Pritchett Wright Fort Scott, Kan. — Dave Martin’s main focus when he took over as the Fort Scott City Manager in August 2010 was to “funnel the efforts of economic development entities throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County so everybody’s efforts were productive.” “When I took over in August, I knew there were [...]
The future looks bright for Parsons
by Dave Lindsey Parsons Kansas, July 1, 2011 – Parsons has always been an assertive town when it comes to economic development. They currently have six industrial parks, five of which are filled with different types of industry and manufacturing. There are small companies with ten or less on the payroll all the way up [...]
Charm Meets Industry in City of Iola
By Olive L. Sullivan IOLA — One of City Manager Judy Brigham’s favorite things about summer in Iola is the weekly farmers’ market and band concert. “My brother said it was like being in a Norman Rockwell painting, and it is, it really is,” she said. “We do it very well.” But small town charm [...]
Coffeyville leaders say disaster provided opportunity for growing forward
By Olive L. Sullivan COFFEYVILLE — In 2007, Coffeyville, like many other communities in the Verdigris River Valley, was devastated by a 500-year flood of record. Coffeyville was especially hard-hit when the oil refinery, owned by Coffeyville Resources, was compromised by the rising waters. The news was bad, said City Manager Jeffrey Morris, but the [...]
Variety the Key to Economic Success
By Olive L. Sullivan BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — One of the keys to success in a small town (population 4,602) is that everyone pitches in to get things done. With that in mind, Bert Kellum of King Rey Kellum Real Estate, has spent 10 years volunteering on the economic development council for Baxter Springs. “As [...]
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