Survey, stakeholder meetings will guide five-year strategy for seven-county area
By Pat Melgares, K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University’s extension network is helping the Flint Hills Regional Council gather public input that will shape a new economic development strategy for the region.
A recent survey sent to residents in the seven-county area is part of the process to update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS, a roadmap intended to guide economic priorities and investment across Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, Morris, Wabaunsee, Chase and Lyon counties.
Deborah Kohl, the state program leader for community vitality with K-State Extension, said the survey gives residents an opportunity to identify community assets and economic development initiatives they would like to see advanced.
She said that the Flint Hills Regional Council asked for opinions about healthcare, childcare, housing, infrastructure, workforce and other factors that contribute to economic development.
“The survey gives residents, businesses, local governments, organizations and other stakeholders an opportunity to tell us what they see as the region’s greatest strengths, challenges and opportunities,” said Patti Noriega, secretary of the Flint Hills Regional Council, and owner of Notable Stays JC in Junction City.
Noriega said economic data provides important information, but it does not always capture what is happening in individual communities. Direct input can help identify shared needs and opportunities for regional cooperation, as well as priorities for future public and private investment.
Kohl notes that K-State Extension’s involvement is intended to strengthen that community engagement.
“Extension provides extra value because we know the region’s goals,” she said. “Extension staff live and work in all seven FHRC counties and understand Kansas communities. And because we live and work here, we are able to lead honest conversations and build trust within those communities.”
Kohl adds that K-State Extension also worked with the Kansas Association of Regional Development Organizations and the Kansas Department of Commerce on statewide community economic development discussions in 2025 and 2026.
The outreach is intended to reach beyond traditional economic development participants. Kohl said extension staff have identified people who can help fill knowledge and perspective gaps in the planning process.
Noriega said the commission still wants to hear from businesses and employers, educators, workforce organizations, agriculture, community groups, young people and residents, in addition to local governments and economic development professionals.
Input from those groups could help distinguish between issues unique to individual communities and challenges shared across the region. Noriega said identifying common concerns can reveal opportunities for communities to work together on issues such as childcare, housing and infrastructure.
Meetings in each of the seven counties will be held by Oct. 1. Afterwards, the CEDS steering committee will evaluate the information gathered and work to develop a strategy that fits the region’s needs. A period of public comment will follow before the plan is submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Kohl said the Flint Hills Regional Council’s work can help bring funding to the region for projects intended to support economic growth. “This is a great place to weigh in about what you (as residents) see as a priority for your community, county and region to move forward,” she said.
Noriega said the ultimate goal is for the CEDS to become a working document.
“Success means turning the information into action,” she said. “We do not want the CEDS to be a plan that sits on a shelf; we want it to be a useful road map that FHRPC, our communities and our partners can use to establish priorities, develop projects, pursue funding, build partnerships and make informed decisions about the economic future of the Flint Hills region over the next five years.”
More information is available online from the Flint Hills Regional Council.
