BUSINESS REVIEW LITTLE APPLE
July 2018, Volume 14, Issue 7, www.manhattan.org
Region Reimagined
The Greater Manhattan Project has been repurposed to closer resemble the five-year visioning program designed to expand the region’s success. Known as Region Reimagined (R2): A Blueprint For Prosperity is now in the implementation phase of strategic community and economic development. The program includes both private and public-sector partners punctuated with the goal toward “creation of good jobs that build local wealth, create opportunities for all residents, reduce poverty and income inequality and provide economic stability for generations to come.” Six work groups have been formed in various areas to achieve this goal: • Marketing/Branding • Entrepreneurship & Innovation • Talent Attraction/Retention • Quality of Place • Community Infrastructure • Advocacy/Governance Market Street Services, Inc., a community and economic development consulting firm based in Atlanta, Ga., facilitated the creation of the R2 plan. Initial funding was provided by Advantage Manhattan, a private-sector-based economic development initiative that is a program of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Public sector funding partners include Riley County, City of Manhattan and Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation. The project has enjoyed broad-based support throughout the Greater Manhattan community, as more than 2,300 public surveys were completed online. Dozens of focus groups and one-on-one interviews helped refine a consensus-based vision for the next five years and beyond in the Greater Manhattan area. Public input and Market Street data analysis is available at GreaterManhattanproject.com. This site also contains the Community Assessment, Target Analysis & Marketing Review, and Community & Economic Development Strategy. Members of the steering committee (more than 50 total) are also listed on the site. Manhattan has numerous strengths it can build upon – early in 2018 Livability.com ranked Manhattan as the No. 2 Best Place to Live in the U.S. According to Market Street CEO J. Mac Holladay, momentum has been generated in a positive direction. “This report shows that Greater Manhattan can hold its own against some very strong competition,” Holladay said. “Clearly, residents love this place and think it has a lot of potential. The key to the kingdom will be to balance public sector jobs with a strong mix of private employment.”
A publication of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
Two Manhattan businesses honored by Kansas Commerce Department
Two Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce member businesses have been recognized for admirable contributions to the local community and Kansas economy. Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (hospital/non-profit) and WTC Communications (service) were heralded by Kansas Department of Commerce and Regional Project Manager Salih Doughramaji. The commerce department designates June as a celebration of Kansas businesses in the form of Business Appreciation Month. Businesses can be nominated by any individual or organization. “Kansas businesses continue to be the foundation of our economy, communities and overall quality of life,” a release from the department states. “Business Appreciation Month is the state's way of recognizing Kansas businesses for all they do to keep Kansas strong.” The Chamber congratulates the nominated businesses and sends an appreciative nod to all area businesses for continued hard work, time and effort. Local businesses create jobs, drive economic growth and provide goods and services often take for granted. Thank You -- area businesses -- for making the Manhattan area a great place to live and do business. (L to R) Award recipients Vern Henricks, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation; Jeff Wick, WTC and Jeff Sackrider, WTC are joined by Salih Doughramaji, Kansas Department of Commerce.