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| Economic Development Council |
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Position Statement for Economic Development
Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports any resourcing available to the following:
- Quality Jobs Program
- Continued EDIF dedicated to economic development
- The Operational Concept of an Economic Stimulus/Shell Building Program managed by The Kansas Department of Commerce
- Incentives and/or Tax Credit Program to encourage The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, to encourage environmentally sustainable construction.
Housing:
- Continued funding and support of S.B. 417 for rural Kansas communities after July 1, 2010. This bill primarily focuses on natural disasters. Southeast Kansas, Inc. would appreciate consideration of adding economic disasters as well.
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| Legislative Council |
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Among the many position statements Southeast Kansas, Inc. has developed is is that concerning:
Tourism
Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports the Kansas Tourism Initiative as outlined below:
- KTI has been created to research and manage the preparation of a comprehensive plan that will envision the full potential of the Kansas tourism industry statewide, including tourism product, message and return on investment. KTI will encompass all diverse components, sectors and geographical regions.
- KTI will operate as an empowered cooperative effort setting strategies and goals, allocating resources, evaluating plans and programs with the intent of creating a mechanism to maximize the economic benefits of the Kansas tourism industry.
- KTI will educate and gain support of business leaders, elected officials and citizens of Kansas about the economic benefits of a healthy, optimal tourism industry - including tax benefits, improved quality of life and workforce development.
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| Transportation Council |
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Position Statement for Transportation
Highway Priorities:
Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports:
- the U.S. Highway 69 Association and the U.S. Highway 400 Association positions for inclusion in the next CTP;
- Fully funding the Kansas Department of Transportation maintenance budget to keep our highways and bridges in good condition; and
- Raising highway fuels tax and other transportation-specific taxes and fees to provide the revenue needed to achieve the transportation goals that the people of Southeast Kansas and the rest of Kansas believe are essential.
Highway Project Priorities:
- US Highway 69 Four-lane from US Highway 400 junction to US Highway 54 junction north of Fort Scott
- US Highway 69/400 Four-lane to I-44
- US Highway 400 Four-lane from 69 Junction west to US Highway 77 Junction
- US Highway 169 Super-two from OK border to K-7
- K68 Four-lane from US Highway 169 to US Highway 69
- US Highway 75 enhance in District 4
Rail Priorities:
Southeast Kansas, Inc. recommends that the existing short line rail program increase annual funding from $3 million to $5 million per year and allow access to the rail fund by rail customers and owners of industrial parks to:
- Increase annual funding by $2 million from $3 million to $5 million per year as supported by Parsons Brinkerhoff Study completed in 2005
- Make grants available to customers of railroads, that:
i. Provide a 50% matching grant, that
ii. Make improvements to their railroad siding
or to lengthen sidings
iii. Acquire additional rail yards, sidings or capacities that
improve railroad velocity, or improve Customer Service.
- Make grants available to communities having railroads going through the community, where there are rail yards having significant switching or congestion issues impeding railroad velocity, or service to customers, that:
i. Provide a 25% matching grant by the community,
railroad or other entity
ii. Make improvements to add railroad capacity to improve
velocity or service to customers
- Make grants available to customers of railroads or to short line railroads, that:
i. Provide a 25% matching grant
ii. Relocate railroad customers from core urban areas
congested to lack of railroad capacity, or has service to
railroad customers impaired due to track issue.
- Add loan provision for industrial park owners to be used for rail improvements to facilitate short line railroad connections under the existing loan program.
Air Priorities:
Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports:
- KDOT's continued effort to make emergency air transportation available to all Kansans
- KDOT to work to upgrade instrument approaches and runways to more Kansas airports.
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| Workforce Development Council |
| Position Statement for Workforce Development
Workforce development is defined as collaboration between industry, government and education to prepare and enhance workers? skills to meet current and future market demands enabling Southeast Kansas businesses to be competitive in local, national and international commerce. This requires a focus on the integration and coordination of workforce programs, as well as streamlined access to such resources and programs by employers, employees, and job seekers.
Specifically and to this end, Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports the following:
- Continued review of the Workers Compensation guidelines for employers and physicians.
- Funding of educational, training and workforce development services in order to meet current and expected labor demands.
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