Wednesday night Southeast Kansas (SEK) Regional Planning Commission board members discussed “what has happened and the future challenges we face,” interim director Dennis Arnold said. AMONG the programs the commission works with are the Housing Pilot Program, Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Program and the Business Coaching Pilot Program. TWO board members are retiring and were honored at Wednesday’s meeting.
The meeting, held at Neosho County Community College, was focused on the affect of new state and federal funding positions.
The SEK commission’s focus is to improve the quality of life in southeast Kansas by providing tools to create and retain jobs and increase the services available within a community.
The commission offers professional development and assists in the administration of local programs and projects.
“The way the agency makes money is through the fees we get to administer grants,” Arnold said.
The main concern for the commission is the lack of grant availability. The organization has 35 percent fewer grants than in previous years, making it historically low.
The organization has been existing on the remnants of a grant from 2009. The grant cycle runs every three or four years.
Cutbacks starting hitting the grant funding in 2010.
“We are looking for other revenue streams,” Arnold said. “We have to see how much we get next year. Fifteen applied this year and usually we get 60 percent so if that does happen then we will have eight (grants to administer).”
Each of the programs are focused on improving the quality of life and keep small towns thriving in southeast Kansas, with minimal fees.
Businesses are eligible to hire a consulting team for $50 a month.
“They work with the company. They essentially become their employees,” Arnold said.
John Hotaling of Coffee County and Dudley Feuerborn of Anderson County received certificates of recognition.
For more information on SEK Regional Planning Commission programs, call (620) 431-0080.
SEK regional panning board plans for future
