It’s a plan that could mean more jobs and more money for Wichita.
But, is it worth the price?
That’s what the Wichita City Council and the Sedgwick County Commission considered at this morning’s joint council-commission meeting: a strategy to boost the economy.
“Certainly with our aviation industry, with some of our manufacturing, as far as exports are concerned, they’re down,” said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer. “There are some things at the national level that are affecting our exports such as the capability of being able to borrow money.”
If approved, the plan would cost $234,000. The City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, Wichita State, Wichita Metro Chamber, Greater Wichita Economic Development and Coalition would contributed about $43,000 for the plan. The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation would contribute about $20,000.
“That could allow us to expand jobs, to expand the number of high-paying jobs and to assure that we are competitive,” said Wichita State President John Bardo.
To maintain edge, the plan would rely on help from Wichita State, aviation, agriculture and other industries. It would also rely on help from neighboring cities.
Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohn said the area implemented a similar program more than four years ago. He wants leaders to adopt a well-thought strategy for long-term growth.
“We need regulatory certainty, more tax certainty and strengthening the rule of law at all levels of government,” Peterjohn said. “We can do things at the county level, we can do things at the city level. We also need help from Topeka and Washington.
Our unemployment rate at the moment is below the national average, and I think that’s a big plus,” he continued. “Unfortunately, it’s above the State of Kansas average, so we’ve got work to do.”
Both governing bodies are expected to address this next month.