Flint Hills Regional Council www.flinthillsregion.org Flint Hills Economic Development District Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Hays House, Council Grove    4:00 p.m. Review Strategic Action Plan Goals Objectives Strategies 5:00 p.m. Next meeting-October 10, Hays House Flint Hills Regional Council www.flinthillsregion.org Questions / Comments

Vison 2018 Vison 2014 A highly educated populace, working in an evolving, knowledge-based economy, living in the rich heritage of the Flint Hills ecosystem.

Weaknesses Declining rural/urban population Job availability/mismatch skills to job openings Aging infrastructure/abandoned buildings State funding/leadership support Health care/mental health care deficiency Lack of broadband service in rural areas Threats Lack of affordable housing Lack of labor force Fluctuation/reduction of military /Ft. Riley Heavy dependence on govt. employers Lack of direction/support/funding govt. Strengths Educational opportunities Central location Quality of life Tourism/Flint Hills Ft. Riley Opportunities Marketing travel & tourism Grow our own labor force-k-12,college Industry growth, animal health corridor Military relations & supply needs Incentive to bring medical profession to rural areas

Collaboration: governments, regional institutions and organizations 2014- Goals Collaboration: governments, regional institutions and organizations Branding: Natural and cultural history of the region Promote tourism Sustain businesses, new and existing within the region. Educate the population well from early childhood through college and beyond. 2018 Goals 1. Strategic Direction/Action Plan: The strategic direction and action plan should build on findings from the SWOT analysis and incorporate/integrate elements from other regional plans (e.g., land use and transportation, workforce development, etc.) where appropriate as determined by the EDD or community/region engaged in development of the CEDS. The action plan should also identify the stakeholder(s) responsible for implementation, timetables, and opportunities for the integrated use of other state, and federal funds

Action Plan Create Regional Branding Create a marketing strategy Identify workforce training needs Initiate a tallgrass entrepreneurship education curriculum. Expand transportation options in the region Streamline the business attraction & retention program. Create a Welcome Center Create a site selection tool Flint Hills High Five Create a prime site program Succession Planning Flint Hills Opportunities Network Kansas Food Labs 2018 Action Plan 1. Support the business retention, expansion, and recruitment goals of the member Economic Development Organizations (EDO’s) 2. Marketing Strategy • Support the existing Flint Hills Tourism Coalition marketing efforts. • Support marketing strategies of the member Economic Development Organizations (EDO’s) 3. Entrepreneurship • Establish entrepreneurship programs, competitions for Junior & Senior High School students in the Flint Hills region, working collaboratively with KSU, ESU, SBDC, EDO’s, and other partners to implement these programs. 4. Welcome Center • Since the free-standing Welcome Center is at exit 313 on I-70 is cost prohibitive, then develop plans to utilize and staff the existing rest areas on I-70 east and west of exit 313. 5. Use the existing LocationONE buildings, and sites database for business retention, expansion, and recruitment. 6. Leadership Training Strategic Direction/Action Plan: The strategic direction and action plan should build on findings from the SWOT analysis and incorporate/integrate elements from other regional plans (e.g., land use and transportation, workforce development, etc.) where appropriate as determined by the EDD or community/region engaged in development of the CEDS. The action plan should also identify the stakeholder(s) responsible for implementation, timetables, and opportunities for the integrated use of other state, and federal funds

Action Items/Collaborators Action Plan 1 Collaborators Action Plan 2 Collaborators Action Plan 2 Collaborators Action Items/Collaborators

Flint Hills Regional Council www.flinthillsregion.org Questions / Comments