Editorial: A decisive mayoral contest in Topeka

By The Capital-Journal Editorial Board

Topeka’s mayoral primary is less than two weeks away (Aug. 1), and a public forum brought all five candidates together on stage at the Jayhawk Theatre on Wednesday night. The event attracted an overflow crowd to the theater — even though 180 chairs had been set out, 230 people showed up. Considering the dismal turnout for most local elections in Topeka, this level of interest is encouraging. It demonstrates that Topekans value civic engagement and recognize that this is a critical time for our city. However, if you look at the turnout numbers from recent mayoral primaries, you’d come away with an entirely different impression. For example, in the 2009 primary, only 13.08 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. In 2013, the proportion was a pitiful 4.4 percent.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article

Strategic initiative underway to improve city, area

By John Ingle, Times Record News

As the saying goes, it's hard to get where you want to go without a road map.

A group of community members representing almost all sectors of business and government has been put together to develop a road map, of sorts, to guide the city toward growth and create a Wichita Falls of the future.

Henry Florsheim, president and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce & Industry and chair of the newly formed Wichita Falls Economic Development Steering Committee, said the group is in the beginning stages of the roughly 10-month process to create the strategic plan. Consulting firm Market Street Services will help keep the group on track and analyze information gathered.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Spartanburg leaders look at ways to end ‘brain drain’

By Bob Montgomery

Charlianne Nestlen is committed to Spartanburg.

She grew up here, earned her degree in communications at USC Upstate and, at 36, is now a successful real estate agent who lives here with her husband and 4-year-old child.

“Spartanburg has a lot,” said Nestlen, chairwoman of the Spartanburg Young Professionals, a Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce networking group. “Some stay and some go. We’re not trying to be Charlotte or Greenville. We’re trying to be the Hub City and create our own identity.”

But many young people don’t share Nestlen’s enthusiasm, and that has some civic and business leaders concerned.

A recent study for the chamber by Atlanta-based Market Street Services found young people are less likely to stay in Spartanburg.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Editorial: Forge attracts young professionals

The Capital-Journal Editorial Board 

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Topeka’s population fell for the fifth straight year in 2016. While the census is conducted every decade, the Census Bureau provides annual population estimates for cities, counties and states across the country. When the last census was released in 2010, Topeka had a population of 127,473 — a number that has fallen to 126,808 if the Census Bureau’s estimate is accurate. The 2015-2016 decrease (457 people) was larger than any of the preceding four years. 

A static or shrinking population can have harmful effects on a community. In September 2016, Market Street Services Inc. completed a community assessment that “examines the competitive issues facing Topeka-Shawnee County” for the Topeka-Shawnee County Holistic Economic Development Strategy steering committee... 

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

The inclusion solution: Sioux Falls grapples with diversity as workforce woes mount

Jeremy J Fugleberg

Jason Ball stepped up to the microphone before the downtown Rotary Club last month and delivered a strong message calling for Sioux Falls to come into its own.

“We have to begin to get okay with becoming a major metro area," said the president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce,

The metro area now includes more than 250,000 people, he reminded the crowd.

"We’ve got to grow into the community we need to be," he said. "And I think that’s going to begin here, with us not only just valuing the diversity that exists in this community but finding ways to celebrate it."

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

St. Pete Economic Development Corporation lures marketing firm MXTR to town

• Times Staff

St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation has lured its first big catch to St. Petersburg — MXTR Automation. The digital marketing company announced Wednesday that it will fill 20 "high-wage" creative positions within the next 18 months, as well as open an office in downtown St. Petersburg this year.

It's easy to sell this place," Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday. It's unclear what incentives were tied to the expansion.

This will be the Williamsport, Pa.--based company's second location.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Consultants considered for city economic development

Claire Kowalick, Times Record News

Wichita Falls is checking off another item on their “to-do” list by gathering a team to explore increased economic development for the area.

Two resolutions are under consideration at the Wichita Falls City Council meeting Tuesday to approve funding for a comprehensive economic development strategy from Market Street Services Inc. The cost of the study will be split 50/50 between the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation (4A) and the 4B Sales Tax Corp., or $91,750 from each group.

At a goal development meeting earlier this year, the council chose “accelerating economic growth” as one of their top goals. The council urged the 4A and 4B boards to work collectively on an economic strategy for the city. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Henry Florsheim began the process, thoroughly investigating more than 20 firms to guide the process. The group was narrowed to four, then two, and finally Market Street and its CEO Mac Holladay were chosen.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.