REAP A Council of Governments

Andover Central ParkAndover, KSphoto taken bySunny Smith

REGIONAL

ECONOMICAREA

PARTNERSHIP

2014 Annual Report

A message from our Chair2014 was a year of great progress and change for the Regional Economic Area Partnership. I am pleased to have served this organization as Chair over the past two years as we worked to move the economy of South Central Kansas forward and to a brighter future. My sincere thanks to the members of REAP for providing strong support and leadership during this time of transition. REAP should be pleased with the 2014 designation from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which named a 27 county region in South Central Kansas as one of the 12 “Manufacturing Communities” in the Country. This designation has the potential to bring significant investments in economic and manufacturing development to the region over the next two years. The organization’s involvement with the Export Now regional strategic plan and the Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth (BREG) Industry Cluster Study are of particular importance as REAP moves forward in 2015.

I would be remiss if I did not especially thank Keith Lawing and Kelly Bergeron. Their value to REAP during this time of restructuring and refocus has been inestimable. And without exception they have been a resource, support and encouragement to me. With their continuing service the new Chairman will also have an enjoyable and rewarding year.

REAP will continue to advance regional priorities such as workforce development, transportation and water. These key issues will play a large part in 2015 and beyond. The upcoming year is full of promise as this collaborative continues to strengthen, grow, and pursue new opportunities to enhance the regional economy of South Central Kansas.

REAP

David M. UnruhSedgwick County Commissioner

REAP Chairman

reap-ks.org

REAPofSCK

ReapOfSouthCentralKansas

2014 REAP Annual Report • 2

ABOUT REAPSince its inception in 1997 as the South Central Kansas Regional Council of Governments, REAP has grown as a regional organization and is an established voice on issues of common concern among local governments in South Central Kansas. In 2014 REAP’s twenty-eight member cities and counties worked to fulfill the organization’s mission:

Guide state and national actions that affect economic development in the region and adopt joint actions among member governments that enhance the regional economy.

The REAP region includes the counties of Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, McPherson, Reno, Sumner, and Sedgwick, serving over 770,000 citizens- more than 26 percent of the state population.

of StatePopulation

Cities

PeopleThousand

2014 Work Plan Accomplishments Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4About REAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Message from Chairman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2014 Legislative Priorities Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Members in Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Prosperity Plan Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Workforce Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

28

26

770

%

& Counties

3 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

2014 Work Plan Accomplishments SummaryEach year the REAP Board of Directors adopts a work plan for activities. These projects are carried out by the Committees, Task Forces, and staff of REAP. Without the efforts of our dedicated mem-bers and partners this work plan could not have been accomplished!

2014 Work Plan Accomplishments & ActivitiesCreated a long-term operating model and organizational structure:

• Adopted a new assessment structure on July 11, 2014• Revised and adopted Bylaws on November 7, 2014• Revised and adopted Fiscal Procedures on November 7, 2014• Created Associate Memberships to include business, industry, nonprofits, chamber of

commerce, economic development entities and others

Developed and supported a successful Legislative Agenda and Priorities for 2014:• Developed a new inforgraphic format for the legislative priorities • Presented priorities to the South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation at their hearing on

January 9, 2014 at NCAT• Sponsored South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation luncheon on February 19, 2014 at the

Capital and presented on regional initiatives and projects • Conducted weekly legislative update calls during the 2014 Legislative Session • Conducted the annual Legislative Policy Summit on December 5, 2014 at Botanica, Wichita,

with over 100 REAP Members, partners, and legislators in attendance

Communications and Outreach:• Redesigned and launched a new REAP website on March 1, 2014• Redesigned and updated REAP social media pages (Facebook and Twitter)

Focused on Water as a priority strategy:• Coordinated two meetings with the Kansas Water Office on the 50 Year vision for the Future of

Water in Kansas with Board of Directors and Water Resources Committee(March and October)• Attended community meetings hosted by the Kansas Water Office seeking input and feedback

for the 50 Year Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas (May, June, July)• Hosted the Regional Water Conference on May 29, 2014, attended by over 100 REAP

Members, partners, and stakeholders• Attended the Governor’s Water Conference in November in Manhattan, hosted by the Kansas

Water Office

Carried out the Chief Elected Officials Business (CEOB) duties for Local Area IV as directed by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), overseeing $4.67 million dollars of WIA funds in 2014.

A full report of the 2014 Work Plan Items and Outcomes is available on the REAP website.

Participated in and oversaw the South Central Kansas Prosperity Planning process, with the draft plan released for Comment in December 2014.

2014 REAP Annual Report • 4

2014 Legislative Priorities SummaryREAP advocates for state investments and encourages strategic public policies to create jobs and grow the economy in South Central Kansas. The members of REAP focus on issues of common concern that drive the regional economy including transportation, water, energy and workforce development.

Highlights from the 2014 REAP Legislative AgendaSupported the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) request for funding:

- NIAR received a $5 million allocation from the State Legislature.

Supported Career and Technical Education skills training designed to meet the needs of business and industry:

- Senate Bill 155 was funded at $9.3 million for FY 14 with an additional legislative appropriation for $10.25 million for FY 14 - $2.1 million in funding was restored for the tiered technical formula to community and technical colleges that was cut in the 2013 session

Encouraged the state and local strategic funding partnership in support of the Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project to preserve the aquifer for agricultural, industrial, and municipal use that is critical to regional economic growth.

- ASR project (City of Wichita) received $499,166 in state funding for FY 2014 and $499,225 for FY 15

Continued state support for Kansas Affordable Airfares Program (KAAP) to assure more flight options, more competition for air travel and affordable air fares for Kansas.

- KAAP was funded at $5 million for FY 14 and FY 15

Encouraged participation by Kansas in the multi-state partnership studying the expansion of passenger rail service and maintain its current passenger rail service Amtrak’s Southwest Chief that passes through Kansas.

- Wichita applied for a TIGER grant to fund an extension of the Amtrak Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Wichita; however, it was not funded by the federal transportation grant. The grant application established a partnership with Wichita, Hutchinson, Garden City, KDOT, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and Amtrak

- A transportation grant was awarded to the existing Amtrak line, the Southwest Chief, running through Newton

A full report of the 2014 Legislative and Policy Priorities and outcomes is available on the REAP website.

5 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

Members In Action

2014 REAP Annual Report • 6

7 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

Update From the Prosperity PlanIn 2012 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the Regional Economic Area Partnership a grant of $1.5 million to create the South Central Kansas Prosperity Plan (Prosperity Plan). Local partners supplemented the grant with in-kind services valued at $813,000. The purpose of the Plan is to develop short- and long-term strategies to increase the South Central Kansas region’s economic competitiveness, enhance the quality of life for all residents, and establish a framework for regional coordination and planning.

The Plan expresses the collaborative efforts of numerous individuals and organizations throughout the region. After identifying challenges in reaching the goals of prosperity and a high quality of life for all residents, the plan provides a series of recommendations for addressing key issues. Many of these issues are not specific to one political jurisdiction: adequate water, efficient transportation, and a prepared, skilled workforce are just three examples of needs that transcend city and county boundaries. A regional approach to these issues promotes the most efficient use of available resources and allows organizations to work together toward a common goal. At the same time, each city, county, for-profit entity, and non-profit organization takes actions every day that affect local and regional prosperity and quality of life. The plan provides a menu of recommendations that stakeholders can use to enhance opportunities for residents.

The most prevalent theme throughout the planning process is a desire for coordinated, strategic decision-making across jurisdictions and organizations, including public, private, and non-profit stakeholders. REAP’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been charged with reviewing the prioritized strategies that emerged from each of the six planning areas and recommending to the REAP Board of

Director actions on those items- whether that be action by REAP itself, or partnering with the appropriate entity to undertake specific tasks. The tools and resources that emerged from the plan will be available to members of REAP for their use in their public engagement activities and daily operations.

2014 REAP Annual Report • 8

Workforce Activities (Chief Elected Officials Business)

Since 2004, REAP has served as the grant recipient for Kansas Local Area IV Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds from the U. S. Department of Labor. The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas is the Operator and Administrator for these funds, which are overseen by the Chief Elected Officials Board (CEOB), housed within REAP.

Wichita City Council Member Jeff Longwell is the Kansas Local Area IV Chief Elected Official, overseeing more than $4.67 million annually in WIA funds invested in South Central Kansas.

The Workforce Alliance operates four Workforce Centers in Local Area IV, which covers the counties of Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sumner and Sedgwick. In 2014 the Wichita Workforce Center experienced an emergency relocation due to deteriorating facility conditions to a brand new facility. The new Wichita Workforce Center held a grand opening on June 25, 2014. The Butler Workforce Center, located in El Dorado, is also relocating to a new facility, scheduled to open in January 2015.

An annual report from the Workforce Alliance will be provided, detailing workforce activities from 2014.

9 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

2014 REAP Board of DirectorsMember/Alternate

AndoverMayor Ben LawrenceCouncil Member Clark C.R. Nelson

AugustaMayor Matt Childers Josh Shaw, City Manager

Bel AireMayor David AustinTy Lasher, City Manager

BentleyMayor Rex SatterthwaiteDaylene Beckner, City Clerk

CheneyCouncil Member Carl Koster (2015 Incoming Chair)Randy Oliver, City Administrator

ClearwaterMayor Mike YorkKent Brown, City Administrator

Conway SpringsMayor Daniel PettigrewKathy Barkley, City Clerk

DerbyMayor Dion AvelloKathy Sexton, City Manager

El DoradoMayor Michael FaggHerb Llewellyn, City Manager

Garden PlainMayor Larry LampeRonda Mollenkamp, City Clerk

GoddardMayor Marcey Gregory (Water Resources Chair)Brian Silcott, City Administrator

Harvey County Commissioner Chip Westfall (Legislative Chair)Commissioner Randy Hague Hesston Mayor David Kauffman Gary Emry, City Administrator

Hutchinson Mayor Cindy ProettJohn Deardoff, City Manager

Kechi Mayor Ed ParkerBob Conger, City Administrator

Kingman CountyCommissioner Carol Voran (Transportation Chair) Daniel Shea, ED Executive Director

MaizeMayor Clair DonnellyRichard LaMunyon, City Administrator

McPherson CountyCommissioner Ron LoomisRick Witte, County Administrator

Mount HopeMayor Terry Somers (Treasurer)George Dick, City Clerk

MulvaneMayor Jim FordKent Hixson, City Administrator

NewtonMayor Leroy KoehnCommissioner Jim Nickel

Park CityMayor Ray MannDana Walden, Assistant City Admin/HR Manager

Reno CountyCommissioner Brad Dillon (Vice Chair) Gary Meagher, County Administrator

Rose HillMayor Jason JonesAustin Gilley, City Administrator

Sedgwick County Commissioner Dave Unruh (Chair)Commissioner Richard Ranzau

Valley CenterMayor Mike McNownJoel Pile, City Administrator

Wellington Mayor Roger Stallbaumer Roy Eckert, City Manager

Wichita Council Member Jeff Longwell (Local Area IV Chief Elected Official; Workforce Development Chair)Bob Layton, City Manager

2014 REAP Annual Report • 10

REAP Officers & Leadership

CommissionerDave Unruh

Sedgwick County, Chair

Mayor*Kristey Williams

City of Augusta, Immediate Past Chair

CommissonerBrad DillonReno County,

Vice Chair

MayorTerry Somers

City of Mount Hope, Treasurer

CommissionerChip WestfallHarvey County,

Legislative Chair

MayorMarcey GregoryCity of Goddard,

Water Resources Chair

CommissionerCarol Voran

Kingman County, Transportation Chair

Council MemberCarl Koster

City of Cheney, Incoming Chair

Keith LawingExecutive Director

Kelly BergeronAssistant Director

Council MemberJeff LongwellCity of Wichita,

Local Area IV Chief Elected Official,

Workforce Dev. Chair

County ManagerWilliam Buchanan

Sedgwick CountyTAC Chair

* Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in November 2014 11 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

Strengthening the Economy of South Central Kansas300 W. Douglas, Suite 850Wichita, KS 67202