Recognize Brumbaugh
Jim Stephens, Emporia
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I HAVE READ the Emporia Gazette special Progress sections with considerable interest. There are many things to be proud of in the Emporia business community.
However, there is one person and one organization omitted from these stories that has had a tremendous impact on many small business startups and the expansion of many small businesses in the region. Lisa Brumbaugh has been the regional director for the Emporia State University Center of the Kansas Small Business Development Network for 20 years.
Lisa and the Center’s services are offered to businesses in eight counties: Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Osage, Marion, Morris, Greenwood and Woodson. She helps entrepreneurs develop business, financial and marketing plans and cash flow analysis. This planning has made it possible for many businesses to find funding to begin or expand. Lisa has also conducted “Starting Your Own Business” workshops and many other training sessions for small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. They may not be as noticeable as the large businesses, but they employ many local workers, contribute dramatically to the GDP, pay taxes, and provide the products and services we all consume.
In our regional area, Lisa has worked tirelessly and is in the background of many new and existing businesses. I have had the opportunity to work with Lisa this past year and observe her efforts. The contribution Lisa and the center have made to the local and regional economic development is amazing! She deserves our collective gratitude for a lot of Emporia’s small business development.
Jim Stephens
Emporia
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
in light of the fact, that the bureaucracy is the art of making the possible, impossible. she has helped a lot of people start their own business. if you are thinking of starting a business, she is one of your best resources.
August 8, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
the businesses that she has helped is proprietary information.
August 9, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
excellent, a perfect time to dump the RDA and herreem, sounds like she can do a better job than him, but then again, just ask yourselves how many real jobs has the rda brought to town in the last 6 months, and please dont list the eating joints, good luck Lisa
August 9, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Please lets dump Heerman Don't just ask how many jobs in the last 6 months ask how many businesses in the last fifteen years I'll bet the number is less than 8. We haven't averaged a new business every two years must be a lot of conventions.
August 9, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
there are several new businesses coming to emporia, and there a good reason for it, the new plant on the east side of town will be completed and a multimillion payroll. thanks to the efforts of the regional economic development
August 9, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Menu Foods
Camoplast
Norfork Iron
Lenza (gone)
Can Plant ( never happened)
Bio Diesel (never happened)
Hills (might happen)
come on someone help me there has to be more its been over fifteen years.
August 9, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
a lot of people do not know that small busineses and small industries provide nore jobs than big business. under the open records act i believe you can find out your information by making your request through the city clerk. another source would be your local building inspector. i think you might be surprised. retail sales in emporia are down 30 percent and some busineses are down 50 percent. its every emporians duty to support our local government, but not necessaryly in the style to which they are accustomed.
August 9, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )