AS OUR COMMUNITY works through Tyson’s restructuring of the Emporia plant, it should serve as a reminder of just how important the Regional Development Association is to Emporia.
The RDA’s job is to bring new companies and jobs to the community. Having a successful economic-development program has helped bring in new manufacturers as others have closed. These transitions have helped keep our community stable. In 13 years, the RDA has brought $658 million in capital investment into the community by working with 23 companies.
While the Tyson news is unfortunate, this is exactly why we have the RDA — to keep our community moving forward. Just think how fortunate we are to have REG, Westar, and Hills Pet Nutrition, which are in the process of building plants in Emporia.
Some may question why the RDA doesn’t recruit higher-paying jobs. The bottom line is that the RDA must work with companies that are willing to locate in a community like Emporia.
The RDA is primarily funded by a half-cent sales tax, which was first approved by the community in 1995. The program was re-approved by voters in 2000.
Fairly soon, the RDA will start working to renew the sales tax and we need to realize that getting the program renewed is absolutely critical to Emporia’s future. The Tyson situation should serve as an important reminder of just how important the RDA program is to us.
Our community would be well served to renew the RDA program sooner, rather than later.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher