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Quality of life is a significant driver of economic development. The chambers of commerce across Montgomery County work tirelessly to make this part of America a great place to live. However, their efforts are supported by the residents who eagerly jump in to volunteer their time and skills to make...
We're well into the second quarter of 2024 and, already, much has changed for the CFO since the beginning of the year. Rapidly shifting economic, technological, and regulatory landscapes continue to add complexity as CFOs look to balance both day-to-day operations and broader strategic objectives in the organization.Are you on...
Steve Jobs called it ‘collecting dots.’ It’s where you read and investigate several things at the same time, both historical and then looking forward. It might be researching an industry, studying the economic and industry trends, looking at technology trends, looking at what’s trending with emerging generations like Gen Z...
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Kansas is receiving $8.2 million to begin implementing the Kansas Digital Equity (DE) Plan, which recently received federal approval. This announcement solidifies the state’s commitment to transform the landscape of high-speed internet connectivity and digital opportunity across Kansas.“Providing Kansans with the digital resources they...
Social media emerges as a vibrant stage for connection, a realm where innovative ideas thrive, and communities unite. For economic developers, it offers a fertile ground not just for engagement but for inspiring a collective movement toward growth and prosperity. The challenge, however, lies in cutting through the noise, capturing...
The third edition of a primary research study, The State of Site Selection, identifies the top trends impacting facility location decisions globally. The report is a joint release of the Site Selectors Guild (the Guild), the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants, and Development Counsellors International...
Retail professionals who think it’s good to learn a new word every day can make this add to their vocabularies: “eatertainment.”Yes. “Eatertainment.”That clever combination was recently passed along by Shawn Massey, partner and executive vice president of The Shopping Center Group, Memphis, Tenn. He said the main focus of retailers...
In the dynamic world of tourism, understanding and catering to diverse traveler segments stands at the heart of destination success. The potential audiences for your destination are vast and varied, contingent on the unique attractions and experiences your location provides. For the purpose of this discussion, we’re choosing to hone...
The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that five Kansas cities will receive a share of $1,450,000 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist with community development projects.CDBG, administered by the Department of Commerce, is a federal grant program that provides funding for projects that help low-...
Site Selection Evolves
Mar 25 2024The Corporate Survey results shed light on the evolving landscape of site selection priorities. I was not surprised to see that workforce criteria continue to emerge as the top consideration. It correctly reflects how the current demographic crisis is leading to an enduring strategic focus on talent acquisition and retention...
Kansas Tourism Triumphs with Four Marketing Awards, Highlighting Excellence in Destination Promotion
Mar 8 2024North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) recently announced that Kansas Tourism received four awards in the 32nd Annual NATJA Awards Competition. The competition honors the best of the best in travel journalism, photography and destination marketing organizations. This recognition underscores Kansas Tourism’s dedication to innovative destination marketing and its commitment...
March 19 is National Ag Day, which is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA). Since 1973, this day (and the month of March as a whole) has been used to honor the people who produce food and fiber products in the United States. Agriculture plays an essential role...
February is National Youth Leadership Month and our team at the Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC) is thrilled to highlight local business leaders and entrepreneurs in the region. These professionals represent the next generation of Montgomery County and they are actively building a future for the region. Here are a...
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to date, has awarded over $270 million through cooperative agreements with state departments of agriculture to build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. The funding is...
When business schools nurture their relationships with local business communities, students and organizations benefit—all to the advantage of local talent pools and regional economies. The relationship is not a one-way street, however. It’s reliant on businesses reciprocating and participating in a business school’s initiatives.Business schools as catalysts for regional development...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a pilot program to allow more cattle producers and meat processors to access better markets through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) official beef quality grading and certification. The Remote Grading Pilot for Beef, developed by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), matches simple technology...
STATE OF THE STATES 2024
Feb 4 2024Among the themes to emerge across the 50 state legislatures and governor’s offices over the past year is how to attract funding from a family of major federal programs toting hundreds of billions of dollars in funds. The various challenges and grants follow closely behind Recovery Act funds for which...
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $500,000 will be available under the Emergency Response Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (Emergency HEAL) program to bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse and rehabilitate them into productive commercial use.Emergency HEAL was created to provide...
Sponsorships Available to Support This Event for Youth Entrepreneurs:Platinum $250Gold $150Silver $100Bronze $ 75Contact: Jim Correll 620-252-5349 jimc@ibrcenter.orgInnovative Business Resource CenterPO Box 1513Coffeyville, KS 67337Local Partnering Organization for Montgomery County E-Community, a Network Kansas Initiative
Since 1961, Labette Health has been the center of medical care in the region. With the primary facility located at the southern edge of Parsons, this hospital supports six different counties, providing quality medical care to a wide range of patients. Labette Health is a trusted healthcare provider with a...
Building new and expanding existing facilities are complex undertakings. Companies face myriad decisions in first selecting a site and then in the long-term challenges of managing ongoing operations. A labor market analysis is a critical step in the site selection process, as the company needs to understand the local demographics...
The U.S. manufacturing sector has been quietly undergoing a resurgence as the widespread disruptions caused by the pandemic brought into sharper focus the criticality of having secure, resilient, well-functioning supply chains. Accelerated by legislative incentives such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, this paradigm shift...
The Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC) is full of engaged and active community members who continue to support this region. Our area consists of business owners who create jobs and residents who appreciate what a wonderful place Montgomery County is to live. We couldn’t do it without you. This holiday...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to...