Why is regional cooperation important to northeast Kansas?

NEKCRED enables the counties in Northeast Kansas to work together for common goals.

Strength in numbers: The NEKCRED region is composed of seven rural Northeast Kansas counties, but has only three percent of the state's population. By working regionally, we can increase our leverage, both at the state and national level, and with potential employers.

Stretching resources: In this day of ever-tightening governmental resources, we are all looking for ways to meet public demand for services with the resources available. Rural Northeast Kansas has limited financial resources for economic development; but by working regionally, we increase the scope of economic development projects we are able to undertake. Through these regional projects we each are abler to have a greater impact locally than we would alone.

Common problems and goals: The NEKCRED counties share much in common. Our labor force is shared with other counties in the area. Manufacturing jobs are less available in the region than around the state. Incomes are lower in our region than other Kansas regions. Our area needs numerous infrastructure improvements to meet business and residential requirements. Because of these problems, each county in our region has placed a high priority on economic development. We believe regional solutions can be developed to assist in addressing common local needs.

Networking: Since we are facing many of the same issues, it only makes sense to communicate with others facing the same problems. By working together we can share ideas and design solutions which will help solve these problems, both locally and regionally. Goldsmith, quoted from John Lovorn in his book, 100 Do's and Don'ts for Economic Developers says "People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after."

February, 1999

Mission Statement:

To identify, coordinate and implement regional development efforts which will strengthen the economy of Northeast Kansas

Principal Goals:

1. Work to improve infrastructure in Northeast Kansas, including transportation, telecommunications and regional airport facilities.

2. Identify common elements and coordinate efforts for regional industrial development, retention and marketing.
3. Identify regional job training needs and provide the necessary training programs and/or facilities.
4. Sponsor regional meetings to share community accomplishments and to exchange viewpoints.

Action Plan

Goal 1: Work to improve infrastructure in Northeast Kansas, including transportation, telecommunications and regional airport facilities.

1. Transportation Strategies
   1. Develop a regional highway plan, with specific attention to Highway 4/59, 7/73, 24, 36, 75 and 92.
   2. Coordinate research efforts with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
   3. Obtain support of legislators.
   4. Visit with Secretary of Kansas Department of Transportation to discuss our needs and regional highway plan.
   5. Use NEKCRED sponsored quarterly meetings as a means of communicating the results of research and to solicit input.
2. Telecommunications Strategies
1. Determine existing and proposed telecommunications infrastructure.
2. Establish upgrading requirements to facilitate telecommunications
3. Develop a formal strategy for upgrading telecommunications.
4. Coordinate efforts with existing telecommunications companies.
3. Regional Airport Strategies
1. Explore the benefits, through quarterly meetings, of establishing one or more locations as a regional commuter airport.
2. Determine the level of regional support for one or more regional airports.
3. Determine actions necessary to supply support services for regional airport(s).

GOAL 2: Identify common elements and coordinate efforts for regional industrial development, retention and marketing.

1. Targeted Regional Industrial Marketing Plan
1. Determine what is currently being done to market the region and its communities to industry.
2. Assemble a comprehensive database of business economic and demographic information about the region, e.g. labor supply, etc.
3. Develop the targeted regional marketing strategy.
4. Develop a marketable identity for the region as a whole, shadowing successful metro area efforts.
5. Coordinate available building marketing efforts with the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing.
6. Purchase a digital video camera for regional use to make electronic building/site photos available to users of the KDOD&H Building Database system.
7. Develop a web site and printed brochures to assist in marketing efforts.
2. Identify opportunities to assist existing NEKCRED region business and industry to adapt to changing business conditions and to expand.
1. Develop a strategy to retain and expand existing business and industry
2. Organize and sponsor annual NEKCRED regional job fairs to assist firms in our region in reaching available workers.
3. Organize and sponsor a regional human resources conference to assist human resource managers in learning the latest H.R. management techniques. Also to facilitate networking among H.R. managers.
4. Investigate sponsoring formation of a regional human resources association to facilitate regular information sharing among H.R. managers and companies.

GOAL 3: Identify regional job training needs and provide the necessary training programs and/or facilities.

1. Job Training Strategies
1. Coordinate and synthesize existing surveys throughout the region of company training needs.
2. Inventory job training offerings which exist in the region and identify any gaps.
3. Enlist the support of training service providers to extend service where needed.
4. A "how to" list should be developed.
5. Encourage growth of business-education partnerships in the NEKCRED region. Encourage development of educational programs meeting current needs of business.
6. Encourage use of partnerships such as the School-to-Work Program, customized training programs, and continuing education and enrichment programs.
7. Explore opportunities to apply for equipment grants.

GOAL 4: Sponsor regional quarterly meetings to share community accomplishments and to exchange viewpoints.

1. Target participants and organize regional meetings centered around infrastructure, targeted industrial marketing and retention and job training for the region as a whole.
2. Continue the annual meetings approach as one of the primary consensus-building mechanisms in the region. Target two people from each county and recruit them for Steering Committee members.